BERRIEN SPRINGS –  Southwest Michigan might be far from the sandy beaches of Hawaii, but Friday, members of the Berrien County Youth Fair got into the “spirit of aloha,” as the members of the Greater Niles Senior Center performed a series of authentic Hawaiian dances.

The women wore flower crowns and flowing purple skirts to complement their tropical dancing. They performed in front of an audience of about 40 people, dancing to several songs, including “Hawaii Five-O,” the theme song to the popular mystery TV series.

The dances were part of the Berrien County Youth Fair’s annual senior day, which brings together senior centers across southwest Michigan to share exhibits, demonstrate their talents and passion for the arts. Hawaiian dance teacher, Rebecca Albrecht, said the Greater Niles Senior Center has performed at the Berrien County Youth Fair for the past 10 years. The tradition is one that allows them to share their passion for dancing and how it can be a benefit to their lives.

“I just love to perform,” Albrecht said. “I look out at the people. I focus in on people who are smiling and enjoying it and that makes it easy for me. If you have got a good audience that makes a big difference.”

Albrecht has been studying the art of Hawaiian dance for about 25 years and teaching at the senior center in Niles for about 15 years. Albrecht teaches about eight students and said a number of them are longtime dancers like herself. Her students range in age from their late 60s to early 80s.

Swaying to the rhythm on stage Friday was Merrylin Trethewey, of Granger. Trethewey said she hopes the audience took something from the performance.

“I hope they had a really good time and think, ‘hey, those women know what they are doing,’” Trethewey said. “Because the dances really are authentic.”

To keep their skills in check, Albrecht said they visit Indianapolis twice a year to learn authentic moves from Hawaiian teachers.

For seniors who participate in Hawaiian dancing, Albrecht said the benefits are numerous.

“It’s really good exercise, even though it is hula,” Albrecht said. “We get to know each other, too. If they want to, they get a chance to perform.”

She said the dances are also ideal because members can put a signature style on their dancing and can modify steps if they are too difficult.

For Nancy Strauss, of Niles, it was exciting to see classes in the area that pay homage to her roots. Strauss is part Hawaiian and her family has lived there for generations. Strauss said she first found her passion for dancing in 1953. For Strauss, performing at the fair is a chance to interact with the audience.

“Hula is life,” Strauss said. “We get as much energy from the audience – even if there is one person in the audience that we can please that is the spirit of aloha. It’s the spirit of aloha that we learn to give to the audience.”

The Berrien County Youth Fair is not the only place Greater Niles Senior Center members in the Hawaiian dancing class go to perform. They also dance at nursing homes.

Dancer Irene Walsh, who is formerly of Greece and is also a longtime dancer, also said she sees the benefit of dancing.

“Music is the best medicine,” Walsh said.

Those interested in participating in Hawaiian dancing classes at the Niles Greater Senior Center are welcome to do so. They can sign up by calling the senior center at (269) 683-9380.