Hui O Hula: Hawaiian Dance Club

Hui O Hula invites anyone who is interested to join and try dancing traditional hula, led by instructor Jojo Weingart. Hula is not just a gentle Hawaiian dance workout, it is brain exercise, too.

In class, dancers learn to remember the lyrics—either in Hawaiian or English—and match them with hand and foot movements. If one prefers to sit, one can hula noho/seated hula using only the hands.

Classes begin at 1 p.m. every Tuesday in the Mirror Room (upstairs in Clubhouse 6) and every Thursday outdoors at Veterans Plaza when the weather is nice, or indoors in Clubhouse 3 when it is not. The class is relaxed and friendly. The purpose of Hui O Hula—hui meaning group in Hawaiian (and Chinese, too)—is simple: to have fun while dancing together.

Weingart and dancers are now preparing for the holiday season. Newcomer, called malihini, are learning and practicing “Mele Kalikimaka,” “White Christmas” and “Silent Night,” while veteran dancers refine the faster-paced “Santa in a Red Canoe” as well as the soulful “Haleluia” (Hallelujah in Hawaiian).

A big mahalo/thanks to dancer Lori “Lolo” Chamberlin for introducing Hui O Hula to Dr. Binh Vu, music minister and choir director of Shepherd Presbyterian Church near Leisure World. Binh has formally invited the LW Hawaiian dancers to join his hui’s live performance of “The Prayer” on Sunday, Nov. 23, featuring his singers with live music. The performance will be streamed online.

Nathan Caukin and Tatiana Marocco from the Seal Beach Recreation Department have invited Hui O Hula to entertain at Seal Beach’s community events. Dancers look forward to bringing smiles to the North Seal Beach Senior Congregate Meals lunch crowd as well as friends and families at Breakfast with Santa at the Seal Beach Community Center.

Those in Leisure World who would like a touch of aloha at their clubs or holiday gatherings can text or call Weingart at 562338-1502, email jojo@huiohula. com or any LW hula dancer.

—Jojo Weingart