Hula dancers enjoy graceful island motion

Laura Sturza

MAGNOLIA PARK -- Growing up watching hula dancing on National

Geographic specials made quite an impression on hula instructor Shari

Ward, who has taught for four years with the city’s Park, Recreation and

Community Services Department.

“I have been enamored with Hawaii since I was about 6 and my dad came

back and told us about these beautiful islands,” Ward said. “We were

living in Delaware in the middle of winter, and he came back with a

bright shirt and a suntan.”

Now 55, Ward has studied the art form since 1976, including trips to

Tahiti, Samoa and Fiji. She also lived on the island of Oahu for eight

months.

“I feel I’m expressing the soul part in me that I can’t express in any

other way,” Ward said.

Connie Weir has studied with Ward for four years, but she hadn’t

danced since she was about 10 years old.

“I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction,” the 56-year-old

Weir said. “I feel more graceful now.”

Hula dancing tells stories through movement about nature and the

history of the islands. For example, a dancer’s hands cupped to her nose

indicates the fragrance of native flowers.

Allison Kalama, 30, is originally from Oahu, but she never studied

hula until she found this class two years ago. She describes the class as

being “effortless.”

“This is a nice way to get exercise,” Kalama said. “You can join a

gym, and it’s more like work. Here it’s more like nice music and nice

people to look forward to.”

In addition, her aunts and cousins back in Hawaii appreciate the way

she is keeping family traditions alive.

While there aren’t men currently dancing in Ward’s evening classes,

they have in the past and are encouraged to join.

“If they enjoy moving to music, and they like Hawaii, they’ll enjoy

this,” Ward said.

For information on classes offered by the city, call the Creative Arts

Center at 238-5397. For information about classes at the Joslyn Center,

call 238-5353.