The Aloha spirit was alive and well in Essex this week.

The San Jose, CA-based Ōpio of Nā Wai Ola Hula Performance & Leadership Team made two stops in the area on Tuesday as they performed at the Essex Senior Center and the Essex Library.  

The performers are an award-winning group of 25 youth hula dancers, ages 12-16, who are on a two-week tour that includes stops in New York, Colorado, Florida and Washington, D.C.

The tour is called Spread a Little Aloha and their goal is to make a positive impact through the Hawaiian art of the hula and the spirit of aloha. 

Along with teaching and sharing entertaining and culturally authentic Hawaiian performances, the girls have worked to make a difference in each city they visit. This includes serving meals at shelters and donating supplies to local schools and libraries.

Most of the dancers began performing around age 5 or 6 and have trained in California as well as attended a Hawaii Summer Exploration to further their study. The group has supported causes including collecting donations for the earthquake victims in Haiti and Japan.

Along with raising money to pay for their trip, the girls also collected $12,000 in donations on the tour.

"We're just trying to spread the 'Aloha spirit' and make a difference wherever we go," teacher Kaui Kahaku said. "It's been a positive experience for the girls whether we're at a shelter, library or children's hospital."