Seniors Swing, Dance to Hawaiian Hula Rhythms

By Kelly Chan

Imagine a grandmother hula dancing smoothly to Hawaiian music in front of an audience. That is what 78-year-old hula dancing instructor Dee Dee Richardson does every month.

Richardson describes herself in three words, "I love Hawaii." She was born in 1966 in Minnesota and then moved to San Francisco. In 1982, the energetic and petite woman started to learn how to hula dance.

Before she was a hula dancing teacher she was an aerobics teacher for five years. She walked into a YMCA one day and discovered a hula dancing class. Out of curiosity, she applied for the class. A couple of years later, the hula instructor that taught Richardson how to hula dance retired and turned the class over to her.

She has been hula dancing for 17 years now and does not dance any other dances. Richardson loves to walk around Stow Lake every evening and watch game shows on television. She finds hula dancing very relaxing and loves Hawaiian music.

Besides teaching seniors how to hula dance, Richardson also works at the Cow Palace occasionally as an usher.

She teaches seniors at St. John's Presbyterian Church from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays. The seniors range from 55 to 88 years old. The seniors she teaches at St. John's donate $3 each so they can rent space at the church every month.

In her class there are about 18 students, including three men. She also teaches the Nemenzo Gracious Ladies at Serramonte High School on Saturdays. The Nemenzo Gracious Ladies are younger than the seniors she teaches at St. John's Presbyterian Church.

Every Hawaiian song is different, according to Richardson. She claims to know less than half of the many Hawaiian dances.

Richardson does a lot for her students. One example is that she makes copies of choreographed steps and distributes them to her students so they can get a better understanding of the movements they need to perform.

Richardson has taught people ranging from little kids to seniors how to hula dance. Kids pick up the steps much faster than adults and seniors, she said.

"Hula dancing is pandomining a story that is being told," she said. She recommends hula dancing as good exercise, especially for seniors, because the body movements help avoid arthritis. She said hula dancing helps lose a few inches as well.

Richardson holds performances once a month at different senior homes and centers. Some are located as far as Belmont and San Mateo.

"Always smile," she said. "If you enjoy dance, so will the audience."

Performances are normally 30 to 45 minutes long and there are usually four or five performers. Richardson and the rest of the hula-dancing seniors make their own costumes, sarongs, colorful leis and dresses. The men wear Hawaiian shirts and some of the women put flowers in their hair when they practice. Richardson said hula dancers have to dance barefoot because energy comes up through the feet.

Richardson relaxes after a long day of hula dancing by having lunch on Clement Street. Her favorite place to eat is a Hawaiian restaurant called Punahele Island Grill, located at 30th Avenue and Judah Street.

To be articulate at hula dancing, the basic steps must be learned," Richardson said.

"Come to socialize. It is better than sitting at home looking out the window."

Individuals interested in joining Richardson's hula class can call her at (415) 753-5393.