Hula dancers practice outside in good weather

HUI O HULA

Hui O Hula is Leisure World’s Hawaiian dance club. Instructor Jojo Weingart has offered traditional hula dance lessons since 2005. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Tuesday’s class meets upstairs in Clubhouse 6, and Thursday’s class meets in Veterans Plaza or, if the weather is unfavorable, inside one of the rooms in Clubhouse 3. For more class information, call 562-431-2242.

Hula is a dance form expressing oli (chant) or mele (song). It describes/dramatizes the words of the oli or the lyrics in the mele with movements as well as expressions. Although the hula and its culture can be complex, here in LW, anyone who enjoys dancing and appreciates rhythm can learn to sway along without profound knowledge.

In class, newcomers are encouraged to follow the experienced dancers. After a few times, novices become familiar with the steps and dance with confidence. Wear something comfortable like a long and flowy dress or tie a sarong around the waist. Be sure to bring soft booties or socks if dancing barefoot is out of the question.

February birthdays include Genie Tran, Hyun Lee, Insook Kim and 101-year-old Leona Hasegawa. Longtime members still remember dancing at Hasegawa’s party at Back Home in Lahaina Restaurant when she turned 90. It was exciting for the dancers to perform in such a big restaurant. Last year, Hasegawa celebrated her 100th birthday with a feast.

—Jojo Weingart

Upstairs in Clubhouse 6, the dancers practice "God Bless America" for Hui O Hula's up- coming 20th anniversary.

Jojo Weingart