A Hawaiian-themed library event eases Lee’s Summit residents through winter

Nothing says luau time like an impending winter storm. That was true for the nearly 40 adults and children who came to the Colbern Road branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library for a Hawaiian-themed song, dance and craft program just as the first bit of rain was hitting the metro Friday morning.

Sarah Richey, an early literacy associate at the library, said she and other library workers had gotten the idea when “Moana” came out a few years ago.

What makes it work especially well for the library is that the hula tells a story in addition to being a physical activity for the kids. This particular song, the hukilau, tells a story about fishing.

The kids watched a video on the dance, then tried to follow along as four library staffers demonstrated the dance. To add a little authenticity, early literacy associate Keri Wiester played the ukulele.

Wiester taught herself to play in August, using YouTube videos, and now she incorporates the instrument every time she leads storytime at the library.

“The kids really like it. Singing is a part of our core with early literacy, and if you can include an instrument it really brings that home for them. The kids just gobble this stuff up,” she said.

Richey agreed.

“There is research saying that learning a new dance is one of the greatest things you can do for your brain. That’s always something you want at a children’s program, getting them up and moving around,” she said. “…All the stuff we’re doing comes down to getting them ready for school — getting them ready to hold a pencil, use their imagination, interpret information that teachers tell them and grasp onto that easier and be successful individuals.”

In addition to the dancing to the hukilau, the kids did the “Hula Pokey,” sang “Down By the Bay,” listened to a story called “Hula Lullaby” and made paper pineapples.

Chelsea Flory brought her 2-year-old daughter Keira to the program and loved the creativity of the activities.

“It exposes them to a new style of dance. It’s a really good experience,” Flory said. “We love the enthusiasm of the librarians.”

Stephanie Arribas appreciated that the winter luau provided a change of scenery for her 3-year-old daughter, Lyla.

“They have lots of good stuff for kids. We had to get out of the house today before we get stuck inside for two days,” Arribas said.

Richey likes that the program can help spice up a time when winter seems to be around forever.

“In December, you have all of the Christmas and the Hanukkah (ideas). You have a lot of potential for all those different things, but in January, and I remember this from being in school, January and February are so long,” Richey said.

“You just came back from break slogging along. Early literacy associate Jill Fields and I try to have a big program in January and February to get people out of the house in case they’re in that slump of staying at home and being bored.”