Many professional Hawaiian Dancers dedicate their days to performing at various events, connecting with people from across the globe, and generously sharing the aloha spirit. For a Hawaiian Dancer, a typical day is often filled with happiness and joy, as they celebrate numerous special occasions and become part of people’s memorable moments. Come along as we journey through a day in my life as a Hawaiian dancer.
My day began as the sun rose, right where the ocean kisses the sand on the beach. With the sunrise painting the sky and birdsong filling the air, I danced hula to the enchanting melodies of my favorite musician playing his ukulele. Following my opening hula performance, I had the honor of witnessing six couples, each from a different country, renewing their vows, their love for one another radiating brightly. This sunrise vow renewal ceremony was more invigorating than my usual morning coffee.
Hawaiian dancer gracefully poses on ocean rocks at sunrise
After such an early and uplifting start, I treated myself to a refreshing Hawaiian hike before heading to my next performance. A few hours later, I joined two of my closest friends to perform as a hula trio at an exclusive, secluded hotel on O’ahu. We shared the stage with our regular group of talented musicians. The six of us collaborated to deliver a high-energy Hawaiian show. After the performance, we were invited to enjoy the remaining food and mingle with our guests, who had traveled all the way from Australia to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Having recently visited Australia myself, we had plenty to talk about, exchanging travel tips and well wishes before I departed for my final engagement of the evening on the famous Waikīkī strip.
As I arrived for my last performance at a prestigious Waikīkī hotel, I was greeted by the spectacular sight of fireworks illuminating the night sky over the ocean. Even though I grew up just a short distance from Waikīkī, the legendary magic of Waikīkī, often celebrated in Hawaiian songs, never loses its charm. I met up with two excited musicians, ready to begin the evening’s final show. After my first hula set, two adorable young sisters, dressed in charming Hawaiian print dresses and adorned with flowers in their hair, approached me. Despite being under five years old, they were incredibly friendly and talkative. We instantly became friends, and they decided to stay with me until my next performance. Their courteous parents were concerned about them being in the way, but I assured them they were perfectly fine. For my second set, I surprised the girls by inviting them to join me for a hula dance. Their parents beamed with smiles, capturing the moment as their daughters danced to a song about seashells under the bright Hawaiian moon. As a Hawaiian dancer, one of the most rewarding aspects is the joy I can bring to others, and these girls were beaming with pure happiness.
Smiling Hawaiian woman with lei performs hula dance
The daily life of a Hawaiian performer is typically fueled by passion, energy, laughter, a love for people, and of course, dance. The next time you see the radiant smile of a Hawaiian Dancer, remember their daily experiences and know that you are a part of what brings joy to their performance and that genuine display of happiness.
