Aloha to Session Two

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!

I am very excited to start the new year with a new song. We will be learning "To You Sweetheart, Aloha" this session. This is one of the most popular Hawaiian songs and will be a good addition any hula dancer's repertoire.

We started with the first verse this week, and learned some new hand-foot combinations. Just to review, for our footwork, we will only need these:

- Kaholo: This is the most basic step. Step to the right, step together, step again, and together. Repeat to the left.

- Kahela: Foot stretches out to form a 45 degree angle from the body.

- Ka'o: The sway on steriods. Make a figure-8 with your hips, as if you're drilling your legs down the ground.


New hand gestures:

- Sweetheart: Place your hands palm in over your heart (left side of your chest) and roll your right hand in front of the left

- Aloha: Make a slanted-T with your hands near your mouth. Extend the vertical part of the "T" to the side.

- Smile: Place your hands palm in near your smile. Flip your hands towards the audience.

- Tears: Start with your hands near your left eye in the same slanted-T position. With the vertical part of T, shake it down to about waist level.


We'll review the first verse this coming week. Keep practicing your basics!