Rick the hula dancer

I couldn't have planned this better if I wanted to. The luau was coming to an obvious close and the performers came in from the back and started grabbing people to come onstage. One girl grabbed Rick and led him willingly up on stage. They taught the dozen or so people how to hula and would introduce the guests in groups of three, ask where they hailed from, and sent them off to their seats. And then I realized Rick was the only one left on stage.

That's when it got really interesting. The luau was situated between the hotel and beach and the emcee told Rick to roll a papaya off one hip to the people in the hotel and a mango towards the people on the beach. He was swinging his hips left and right with no shame--I couldn't stop laughing. Then they added in the coffee grinder move--he was a regular hula dancer! I think I was surprised more than anything--not only at his moves but the fact that he would do them in front of such a large crowd!

In the end the emcee asked where he was from and Rick said originally Texas and now Hanapepe. The emcee joked that it was awfully nice of Rick to come the 12 miles to come and see the show. It was funny. Rick said when he used the bathroom on the way out he was complimented on his dancing skills. And here he told me he didn't dance...
Anyway, it was a lot of fun. We had a great time. Great setting, great food, great entertainment. Very touristy, but very fun. And that was only the beginning of the weekend.