She's not Hawaiian nor claims to be of the culture, but Kim Amor is spending time sharing her love for the islands with her colleagues and students in smalltown Indiana.
Amor, herself of European heritage, doesn't have a history steeped in Polynesian culture. Her ties, however, came from befriending a co-worker in college who was from the islands. As their friendship materialized, so too did Amor's love for all things Hawaiian, and thus her love for hula dancing.
“She taught me hula and we went all over the place giving lessons,” shared Amor of her upbringing in the dance. “Taking and giving programs and that kind of stuff.”
The classes Amor, who by day is a teacher at Fairfield Jr/Sr High School, has been teaching have actually been going on since this summer. There are a couple of her students who are doing very well with the movements and a general understanding of the concepts. There are also a couple others who have popped in curious whether it's slow paced or if there's going to be a lot of shaking and twirling of fire sticks.
Amor had a laugh about the latter with one of her newbie colleagues at a recent session, assuring her she didn't have to move like a Don Ho extra in Honolulu.
“I'm hoping to possibly give some programs in the community that would be fun to share that culture and that spirit of Aloha with everyone,” noted Amor.
Amor is teaching the free classes on Wednesdays after school in Room 121 at Fairfield Jr/Sr High School. For more information, reach out to her via email.