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Wow, It's a Luau!

By Kendeyl Johansen

After your family has filled up on wonderful tropical food, have fun exploding a volcano and learning the traditional island dance -- the hula!

Wow your kids with their own volcano eruption.

You'll need:
1 soda or juice bottle with lid
Red or orange food coloring
1 tablespoon flour
cup vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda
Funnel

Let older kids funnel the dry ingredients into the bottle. Cover. Let little ones shake the bottle to mix the ingredients. In a separate container, have the kids mix the vinegar and add food coloring. Little ones can decide when the color is just right.

Bury the bottle in dirt, leaving the bottle's top unobstructed. Remove the lid. Add the vinegar mix to the dry ingredients and watch your volcano erupt. Add more vinegar for a second eruption.

Hula dancers tell stories of love, power and the environment. Tell a tale with your own dance. Start by cranking up your hula music and waving your arms in the air, maybe portraying palm trees in a storm. Rotate hips as if using a Hula Hoop. Here are some basic movements:

slide feet from side to side or front to back. For example: left foot takes a small step to the left. Slide right foot to meet left. Repeat.

roll hands over each other to symbolize the tide rolling in.

hold smooth stones in your hands and click them together.

Say "maika 'I"(fine, good) to congratulate your dancers on their performance.

To learn more about hula dancing, rent or buy the videotape "Hula for Children." The tape has easy-to-follow, basic instructions. Another idea is to visit your local library and check out a book about the hula.