LW dancers travel to annual arts fest in Hawaii

Just after Easter each year, the sleepy little Hilo Town in Hawai’i wakes up to a week of hula exhibitions and competitions, arts and crafts, and a grand parade called the Merrie Monarch Festival. This cultural event honors King David Kalakaua, who was called the “Merrie Monarch” because of his patronage of the arts, and many halau hula (schools) participate every year. The event features those considered the crème de la crème of hula from around the globe. After two years of health restrictions due to the pandemic, the festival returned to near full force for its 59th year. A limited audience was able to return to the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium on April 20 for the Ho’ike (exhibition). Three LW hula dancers—Lori Chamberlin, Susan Saraf and Joanne “Jojo” Weingart—were fortunate to score last-minutes tickets.

As in the past, it is tradition for the Royal Court to open that evening’s festivities. Created to represent the king and queen and their family, the court plays a vital role in and can be seen at all events held at the stadium. The entertainment for the Ho’ike included traditional kahiko (ancient hula), graceful senior Hawaiian dancers who had performed at New York’s Lexington Hotel’s Hawai’i Room during the period from 1937-1966; and folk dance from the Pacific Basin.

To learn more about hula at LW, everyone is invited to join the dance lessons offered at 1 p.m. twice a week—upstairs in Clubhouse 6 on Tuesdays and at Veterans Plaza on Thursdays. Those who want to “walk in and hula out” may come on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m., when basic steps are taught.

For additional class information and performance schedules, call (562) 431-2242 or

email Jojo@huiohula.com. —Jojo Weingart

Susan Saraf of Mutual 15 (in yellow jacket) snaps a photo of the Hawai'i Royal Court, which is there to represent the kingdom.

Jojo Weingart