Hula is the distinctly Hawaiian form of dance and communication that mimics nature and relationships from the genesis of the universe to human spiritual existence with respect to the organization and birth of all life forms.

 

Hula is a life-style, an expression of transformation that embodies all elements, mana, love, honor and respect. It is a form of cultural identity that celebrates creation, events, and all life forms. The adornments worn on a dancer’s body impart the presence of the kinolau of deities and representatives of the supernatural. It is the oneness of spirit and energy - male and female, traditional and contemporary, using one’s body and implements made from natural elements. Implements are hand-made instruments that accentuate, and enhance reverence towards entities while the dancer is sitting or standing in graceful positions, moving fast or slow – all to become that element in the story.

 

Hula can be vocal, with or without instrumental accompaniment, expressive and aggressive, depending on the era of its origin and communication being conveyed. Each hula preserves a genealogy in language by using kaona or deeper metaphorical meanings, characteristic of style from its original source and creative birth.

 

Accomplished dancers reflect the characteristics and unique imprint or style from their Kumu. Dancers will bend, stretch, turn, swoop and squat to portray a motion of uniformity and rhythmic beauty.

Young students learn about deities honored in hula, the roles, kuleana, and accomplishments in relation to time and place. Personalities and personas prevail when telling a story with one’s entire body including facial expressions when communicating the characteristic of each deity or energy force.

 

Hula is the heartbeat and link to traditional Hawaiian culture and spirituality. The pahu is as vital to hula as one’s heartbeat is to life itself. Today, hula thrives!

 

Hula Links:

Hula Preservation Society: http://www.hulapreservation.org/about.asp

Hawaiian Music History: http://www.hawaiianmusichistory.com/hula/

Hula, Historical Perspectives.  Dorothy B. Barrère, Mary Kawena Pukui, Marion Kelly.   https://books.google.com/books?id=Wq3LdY1bk2wC&dq

Hula and health: HELA Project, Hula Empowering Lifestyle Adaptations, Mele Look, UH-JABSOM, https://www2.jabsom.hawaii.edu/native/docs/hh_2012/10_HELA_Fri_100PM_rev.swf