Year: 2003

Distributor: Natural Journeys/Goldhil Home Media

Instructor(s): Kili

*If you would like to see how I got into collecting fitness DVDs in 2023, please check out my previous review for Island Girl: Cardio Hula/Hula Abs & Buns.

It has been almost 2 years since I have collected and reviewed fitness DVDs, and this was one of the first titles I have owned since 2023. Natural Journeys brand is actually one of my favorite distributors because they have the most creative workouts.

This is the first Island Girl DVD I have in my collection, and I have kept this for about 1 year now. Spring is on its way, so it’s time to bring on the sunshine! 

Kili promises that this installment in her Island Girl series will “target the heart rate and speed up the metabolism,” just like the other two titles from my earlier review. She has performed hula for many years and is a featured performer in the stage show ‘Ulalena, which tells the story of Hawaii’s history. 

Unfortunately, the theater has been shut down in 2018 due to financial difficulties, but I will link the full soundtrack to ‘Ulalena below:

Hula dancing can be quite challenging, at first, but in this workout, Kili will demonstrate seven basic hula steps: kaholo, ka’o, hela, ‘uwehe, lele ‘uwehe, ami, and kawelu. Before the workout begins, she will demonstrate a portion of the “Sunshine Hula,” which is a Western hula dance she composed herself. The original song, “Our Sunshine,” is produced by Greg Sardinha and the choreography is performed first before Kili breaks down the moves step-by-step. At the end of the program, you get to perform the program along with her!

The Workout

For the warm-up, Kili starts off with some simple side steps moving forward and then some lunge pulses with a deep hela stretch. A fluid upper body motion is used to exaggerate it a little more. Then she does a Warrior 1 pose and some bicep curls in the lunge position.

The first hula step that she demonstrates is called the ka’o, which is a fluid, swaying motion of the hips. It’s one of the essential basic steps in hula. But the opposite of the ka’o is the hula bumps, which are more vigorous. Then she demonstrates the kaholo while adding a level change. The hand motions compliment these movements, which can tell a story. Hula dancers look at their hands while dancing so that the choreography has a special meaning.

After adding some fitness steps to the first part of the choreography, she then repeats the first set of moves. At the start of the second verse, she demonstrates the ‘ami, which is a circular rotation of the hips, and the ‘uwehe, which is a stomp preceded by the knees opening up. This is combined with the hela to make this step the lele ‘uwehe. 

Similar to the first verse, she does the kaholo but with different hand motions. The next part of the routine is sure to break a sweat with some cardio moves. Kili starts out with doing some kicks, alternating each leg. Then she does the kawelu, which is a mambo-like step. It’s usually done on the toes while in place, but she does travel to either side. A grapevine, hop, and two lunges on either side, along with a little walk from front to back with a kick. She adds some high-impact cross hops and some repeats of previous steps to embellish the choreography.

Near the end of this program, both of us perform the dance together before doing a slow cool-down.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I thought that the program was well-executed with a focus on cardio and toning. I would say the intensity of this workout can also be suitable for beginners but still gives a great challenge for those who are looking to try something new. The original song is pretty catchy, too!

Please stay tuned for the next few reviews, coming in spring 2024:

• Valerie Bertinelli: Losing It and Keeping Fit! (2009)
• Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Trainer (2008)
• Yoga Booty Ballet/Yoga Booty Ballet Live
• A comparison review between two yoga DVDs (it will be titled Yoga Wannabes)