About 200 kupuna from around Hawaii gathered in Hilo on Friday to participate in a large-scale line dancing event.
The Big Island Senior Line Dance Roundup brought clubs from the Big Island, Kauai, Maui and Oahu and to the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium for a day of dance and camaraderie.
The Roundup switches locations every year, but this was the first time the event has been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Longtime dancers and newbies line danced with their clubs — and all together.
“I’m brand new to this, but it’s been so much fun,” Marie Baird said. “It keeps your mind working and the body moving. It’s just great to do in my free time.”
Baird is part of the Big Island Shakers, which has beginner, intermediate and advanced level classes. They practice at the Kamana Senior Center.
“I used to dance hula, and that’s really stressful, and you have to use your entire body,” said Big Island Shaker Kazune Martin. “It’s nice to just focus on your feet, and that takes so much stress away.”
The Roundup is not competitive. Instead, it’s a time to get together with other clubs and bond over the love of line dancing. Teams took pictures together at a photo booth and were able to win prizes through a raffle.
“I’ve been line dancing for 25 years, and I have loved it since it was popular in the ’90s,” Teri King-Agan said. “I love the camaraderie and attitude of all the dancers. It’s not competitive, but a happy time. If you mess up, no one will scold you, and I love that.”
The club, Vernie’s Dancers, traveled from Kauai to Hilo to show off their skills and enjoy the day with other line dancers. They danced to “Empty Bottles” and “Hawaiian Cowboy.”
“We love the Roundup, and we missed it the last few years,” Diane Higa said. “It’s so fun to see others dance, but to also join together to dance. It’s so special and great that we’re able to all know the same songs.”
The Waikoloa Silver Spurs were excited to be represented in the club’s first Roundup. The club danced to “Nothing Hurts Like You” and “My Next Heartbreak.”
“Some of the members have done the Roundup before, but this is our first time as a team,” said instructor Paulette Chang. “We had a ton of fun out there and are happy to meet people from other clubs.”
After the Roundup, the eleven clubs will go back to their respective locations to continue dancing and improving for next year.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.