Starring Yū Aoi, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Etsushi Toyokawa, Shizuyo Yamazaki, Ittoku Kishibe, Eri Tokunaga, Yoko Ikezu and Sumiko Fuji, it is based on the real-life event of how a group of enthusiastic girls take on hula dancing to save their small mining village, Iwaki, helping the formation of Joban Hawaiian Center (now known as Spa Resort Hawaiians), which was later to become one of Japan's most popular theme parks.

In 1965, the cold, northern coal mining town of Iwaki, faces decline and crushing unemployment as cheaper oil quickly becomes the dominant energy source in Japan.

The plan is greeted with hostility by the conservative blue-collar miners, but the company recruits Madoka Hirayama (Matsuyuki) a down-on-her-luck dance instructor from Tokyo, to train local girls in the hula.

When he leaves town to search for better prospects, Sanae goes with him to take care of her siblings, after getting Kimiko, who has become the leader of the girls, to promise that she will keep going.

Crushed by the departure of her friend, Kimiko finds it impossible to maintain the focus needed in dancing but is told "the show must go on".

The bus pulls into town hours after Sayuri's father dies, and as distraught family and friends berate her, Hirayama claims responsibility for not returning immediately and prepares to leave only to be stopped by her students.

Chiyo takes a job as a scrap collector to give her daughter the chance to live her dream.

The opening show is a great success, establishing the Joban Hawaiian Center as a tourist destination.