Spa Resort Hawaiians: A Tale of Hula Dancing, Hot Springs, and Resilience in Fukushima

The entrance of the water park at Spa Resort Hawaiians.

The water park’s massive main pool is kept at a comfortable 30 degrees Celsius year round.

Japan’s first ever “flowing aquarium pool” gives park-goers the feeling of swimming in tropical waters.

A view of the water park from the top of the 120-meter long slide Ka’apuni Falls.

The Big Aloha towers above the park.

Spring Town recreates a southern European spa.

Hula dancers perform in one of the resort’s Polynesian-themed shows.

The resort’s main lodging facility, Hotel Hawaiians.

The resort runs a free shuttle bus to Tokyo for overnight guests.

The resort’s Hula Museum presents the history of the dance along with displays of the costumes and other items used in the film Hula Girls.

Panels display photographs from Jōban Tankō’s height.

A photo of the resort’s iconic dome under construction.

A display highlights the draw of the Hawaiian Islands for Japanese in the early postwar period.

A display looks at the history of the resort’s hula dancers.

A model of the original Jōban Hawaiian Center.

The spa continues to rely on local talent from Iwaki, but now also attracts hopeful hula dancers from around Japan.

Male dancers perform the Samoan fire knife dance.

A panel shows the grueling schedule of the caravan.

The dancers have become a symbol of Fukushima’s recovery.

The hotel Monolith Tower.

The resort’s souvenir shops offer Hawaiian-themed goods alongside specialty product from Fukushima.

Sekine proudly flashes the shaka sign, the symbol of Hawaiian Aloha spirit.