Holiday in Hawaii #11
As the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean at Waikiki, the call of the conch shell summons everyone to the Hula Mound at Kūhiō Beach.
The audience gathering in the fading light is as enthusiastic as the band on the stage. They’re about to play the music in a free show featuring traditional Hawaiian hula dancing.
For first time visitors to Oahu, there’s an invitation to join the hula dancers on stage for an impromptu hula lesson and I’m keen to join in. Each movement tells a part of the story; “over the waves…catching fish…return home to your true love”. It all comes together and we dance to the music, hips swaying and hands waving gracefully.
It’s fun on stage and when the dance is done the crowd shows their appreciation, but I’m happy to leave the rest of the dancing to the experts.
See the free hula show every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening at the Kūhiō Beach Hula mound on Kalākaua Avenue, Waikiki from 6.30 pm. BYO chairs or relax on the grass around the hula mound.
The Eternal Traveller 