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These seniors are learning Hula to celebrate Hawaiian culture

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These seniors are learning Hula to celebrate Hawaiian culture


SAN RAMON, Calif. — “Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people,” says Desiree Elder, a Hula instructor with the Polynesian dance revue, Island Spice.

“Many people visit Hawaii,” Elder says, “and they think that Hula is just wiggling around. But Hula is so much more than that.”

Elder teaches Hula to all ages, but her most unique class is probably the 55-and-over instruction for mature adults taught at San Ramon-Alcosta Senior and Community Center.

“The soft, graceful movements are really fun to do,” says Fiona Waterhouse, one of Elders students. “And the beautiful music which evokes everything Hawaiian.”

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“This is like a godsend class,” adds another student.

Elder says she particularly enjoys teaching seniors because they’re a very engaging group of people.

“They want to learn,” she says, “they’re not done with life, they want to learn, they want to exercise.”

Many of Elders students agree, Hula dancing gives them an opportunity to move and exercise their bodies and their minds. They often give each other tips on how to learn the dance moves, allowing them to socialize and build friendships as well.

“When we came to this class, we didn’t know each other,” says Haldis Maeda, a student of the 55+ beginners class. “I had to learn all the different movements and what they’re called. And it’s really nice, because you’re all learning together. So it’s kind of like you’re helping one another out.”

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Beyond creating friendships, the class immerses students in Hawaiian culture.

“When you teach them about Hula, you just can’t teach them moves and language,” says Elder, “They also learn about basic Hula dance traditions, because there are a lot of traditions that go with dancing Hula. How to stand, how to put your costume on, so there are a lot of different aspects of the Hawaiian culture that get brought into classes.”

Elder says learning about Hawaiian culture and Hula is especially impactful during Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage month.

“People from all over the world go to Hawaii and go there for vacation,” she says. “And then you forget about Hawaii. Hawaii has its own unique culture, you have a place that actually had a kingdom on United States land. It’s the only place that has a palace in the U.S. So it’s a very unique type of culture. And for people to recognize that during this month, AAPI heritage month, it’s very good because get a chance to be more inquisitive about it. Maybe they look into it, maybe take a Hula class, maybe buy a book about Hula, or about Hawaii in general.”

AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the accomplishments of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Through hula, these seniors honor the traditions of the islands.

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“Every time we come together and dance hula,” Elder says, “we celebrate the Hawaiian culture.”

To learn more, and to sign up for a hula class, visit here.



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Maui’s Kapalua Plantation Course reopening after closure for dry conditions

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Maui’s Kapalua Plantation Course reopening after closure for dry conditions


Kapalua Golf will reopen its Plantation Course in West Maui on Nov. 10, following a closure that began Sept. 2 due to dry conditions leading to poor turf health.

“We are deeply grateful for our agronomy team and the work they have done to bring the course back,” Kapalua Golf general manager Alex Nakajima said in a news release. 

“As a key contributor to the Maui economy, reopening the Plantation Course means a lot for our community and the 300+ employees who work at the course and restaurants. We look forward to welcoming guests back to Kapalua Golf’s Plantation Course beginning on Nov. 10,” he said.

Reservations for November tee times are now open, and there is a reopening promotional rate of $399. Tee times for December will be available 14 days in advance of the booking date.

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Trump dances to ‘Hawaii Five-O’ with Anwar on red carpet as Air Force One lands for Asean Summit (VIDEO)

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Trump dances to ‘Hawaii Five-O’ with Anwar on red carpet as Air Force One lands for Asean Summit (VIDEO)


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — US President Donald Trump shared a light-hearted moment with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this morning, dancing on the red carpet to the tune of Hawaii Five-O as a welcoming band played at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Trump performed his signature campaign-style dance — a slow, rhythmic movement involving air punches and hip sways — in response to the performers.

Anwar, smiling, joined in by swaying his hips in sync with the gesture, drawing cheers from onlookers.

The two leaders then shared a brief exchange before Trump invited Anwar to step inside “The Beast,” the presidential limousine, for a private moment ahead of the summit.

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The moment unfolded shortly after Air Force One landed at Kompleks Bunga Raya at KLIA at approximately 9.54am.

Trump was greeted by Anwar along with senior government officials and Cabinet members upon arrival, and was accorded a guard of honour by personnel from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Also present was US ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan.

Today’s visit marks Trump’s first visit to the South-east Asian region since taking office as the 47th President of the US in January 2025.

Trump is the third US president in history to visit Malaysia after Lyndon B Johnson in 1966 and Barack Obama in 2014 and 2015.

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Wisma Putra previously said both leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual concern as well as signing bilateral documents related to trade and security.

The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, held under Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship 2025 theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will take place from today until October 28 and are expected to be among the largest gatherings in the regional organisation’s history.



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Bishop Museum Welcomes Last Known Survivor of Rare Hawaiian Snail Genus – Hawaii Magazine

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Bishop Museum Welcomes Last Known Survivor of Rare Hawaiian Snail Genus – Hawaii Magazine


Hawaiian land snails are among the most threatened animal groups on the planet. 

Researchers believe 11 species of Endodonta once lived in the wild across the Hawaiian Islands—part of a family of about 200 species. Today, it is likely the last remaining species in the Endodonta genus.

READ MORE: One Hawaiian Snail Dies, but the Conservation Effort Lives On

Bishop Museum, the State of Hawaiʻi Museum of Natural and Cultural History, houses the largest collection of Hawaiian land snails, preserving specimens, DNA, and tissues from thousands of species—many of which are now extinct. The museum’s Pūpū Ola: Kāhuli Captive Rearing Research Center not only cares for these rare species but also provides opportunities for the people of Hawaiʻi to learn about and connect with them. 

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The museum recently welcomed Hawaiian land snails believed to be the last known surviving representatives of their genus. Named Endodonta christenseni by Bishop Museum curators Dr. Norine Yeung and Dr. Kenneth Hayes and their colleagues in 2020, the tiny snail was originally discovered by the museum’s team during the Tanager Expedition in 1924—a series of five biological surveys in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands between 1923 and 1924. More than a century later, its descendants arrived at Bishop Museum’s research center on Oct. 15, 2025.

Located in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson

“Once, 11 species of Endodonta lived across the Hawaiian Islands, part of a larger family of as many as 200 species. All but this one species are now gone,” said Dr. Yeung in a news release. “Along with a single surviving relative in the main Hawaiian Islands, Cookeconcha hystricella, these two species represent our last chance to save the ancient lineages of native land snails in Hawaiʻi.” 

For almost a century, Endodonta christenseni remained undescribed after its discovery. Now formally named, the species is on a path toward conservation. Bishop Museum partners with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Snail Extinction Prevention Program (DLNR SEPP). Through this partnership, the snails are secured at Pūpū Ola, where they are protected, studied, and bred to increase their population. Eventually, the goal is to release them into the wild. 

READ MORE: 10 Museums to Visit on Your Next Trip to Hawaiʻi

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These snails embody both fragility and resilience,” Dr. Yeung said. “From Cooke’s s discovery in 1924 to our team’s work today, Bishop Museum has been at the heart of their story. Their survival reminds us that entire evolutionary lineages, millions of years in the making, are at stake. Through Pūpū Ola and our partnership with DLNR SEPP, we are building a safety net for Hawaiian land snails to ensure their stories endure for many generations.” 

The public can view these rare snails at Bishop Museum’s 4th annual Kāhuli Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, from 3 to 9 p.m. 

The Kāhuli Festival brings together research and conservation partners, cultural practitioners, artists, and the community to celebrate and reconnect with the rich biocultural heritage of the Hawaiian Islands. 

“Ke Kani Nei Ka Pūpū,” the theme of the 2025 festival, focuses on renewing and restoring cultural connections for conservation. It highlights the resilience of Hawaiian land snails in an ever-changing landscape. 

The public can enjoy cultural workshops, activities, and talks by cultural practitioners, authors, researchers, and conservationists. There will also be exhibits featuring local artists, live music, and food vendors on the museum’s Great Lawn. Captive rearing exhibits will feature live endangered snails from Bishop Museum’s Hawaiian Land Snail Conservation Program and the DLNR SEPP. 

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Kāhuli Festival 2025: Ke Kani Nei Ka Pūpū, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, from 3 to 9 p.m. Reduced $10 admission for kamaʻāina and military, bishopmuseum.org.





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