Catching island fever

The fifth-grade class of Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School brought the flavor of Hawaii to Burbank this week.

Traditional hula dances and an informational play, titled “Escape to Paradise” and performed by the 96 students, shed light on the lifestyle, superstitions and culture of the islands.

The students were covered in bright clothing and plastic leis as they shuffled across the school’s stage holding a wooden Volkswagen bus cut-out in front of them.

They peered out the windows and snapped photos of imaginary sights, pointing out the 10-foot-high, papier-mache volcano behind them.

“They left Burbank for the Big Island,” fifth-grade language arts teacher Tiffany Kaloustian said. “Wait! Wait for the car effect!”

The students stopped and waited for Chris Pacheco and Andrew Michaels, both 10, to operate the auditorium’s sound board and fill the room with the racket of screeching tires going over bumpy terrain.

Once off their cut-out bus, the children looked around the stage with wonder. They offered quick facts about the islands and about Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and keeper of the volcanoes.

“I try to make sure that every student has a speaking part, if they want to be involved,” Kaloustian said.

She got the idea for the Hawaiian show seven years ago. She was inspired from all the questions her students ask about her Hawaiian heritage and the time she spent living on the island, she said.

“Escape to Paradise” has a bigger cast than ever, and even a volcano that spouts smokes. It played in front of parents, students and faculty on Thursday and Friday.

The students were involved in costume appointments, sounds, lights and curtain control but Kaloustian wrote the dialogue.

She also choreographed the dancing.

“It seems like just yesterday that we were learning the dances,” 11-year-old Kaitlyn Owen said.

They spent the last five months learning dance moves and working on their lines and stage presence.

“The hardest part was coming over our stage fright,” said Sakile Odimo, 10. “But once we got up there, it was fun.”

For students like Kayla Stark, 10, the experience has been informational.

“It’s fun to learn other people’s culture and stuff,” Kayla said.

This year’s hula dance show and play was markedly emotional for Kaloustian. During the end of the show, when the children sang about peace, love and acceptance, her eyes began to tear.

“They really put a lot of love into it,” parent Yvonne Dane said. “And heart.”

Dane, who is a native of Hawaii, began to squint as she spoke, looking over the varied faces of the children as Kaloustian said how proud she was.

“Look at her,” she said. “She’s crying. I am, too. This is great.”

* RACHEL KANE covers education. She may be reached at (818) 637-3205 or by e-mail at rachel.kane@latimes.com.