Huna Article
Huna International
The Hula Experience
by Serge Kahili King
As an avid observer of life, I find it very interesting to watch people watching hula. Typically, the locals
are completely focused on every part of every performance, and the eyes of the malihinis, the visitors,
glaze over after three or four dances.
In researching the whys and wherefores (by asking a lot of questions) I have finally concluded that the real
problem is one of understanding. Most visitors, and a surprisingly large number of residents, simply don't
understand what the hula is all about. So, this article is designed to inform all those who wonder what the
fuss is about... what the fuss is about.
First, the word, hula, means "dance" (sorry, guys, it doesn't mean "shake those hips"). Since it's a
Hawaiian word, it refers to Hawaiian style dancing, which is usually divided into three types:
kahiko, which refers to a more traditional style of dancing with traditional costuming;
'auana, which is a flowing style generally using modern Hawaiian costuming; and hapa haole style,
also affectionately called "hotel hula," which may feature coconut bras and blue-spangled faux grass skirts
made of plastic.
Let's continue with just a little bit of legend. This is a very simplistic overview to show that not all
Hawaiians agree on how the hula started.
On Molokai the story is that hula came to these islands a very long time ago from Tahiti, brought by a man
named Laka, assumed to be related to the male god/hero Rata in the South Pacific.
On Kauai the story is that hula came to these islands a very long time ago from Tahiti, but one version says
it was a woman named Laka who brought it, and another version says it was brought by a set of twins, male
and female, both named Laka.
On the Big Island, the most popular story says that hula was invented right here by a human woman named
Hopoe, who taught it to her goddess friend, Hi'iaka, who taught it to her elder sister, Pele. I like this
one in particular, because it is a rare legend of a human teaching something to the gods.
Hula as a dance consists of a relatively small number of steps, each with its own name. The dancer also uses
a kind of sign language to illustrate the meaning or purpose of the dance. Kahiko hula is typically
accompanied by chanting and traditional instruments, like skin and gourd drums, bamboo rattles, and
sometimes castanets made of stones. 'Auana hula is usually accompanied by singing and a band playing
guitars and ukuleles.
The locals who focus so intently are probably doing so for one of two reasons - or maybe both. First is the
skill of the dancers, chanters or singers, and the musicians. The dancers especially are subject to intense
scrutiny for the way they place their feet, how they move their bodies, the positioning of their hands, and
the direction followed by their eyes. The second reason is the content, and how well it is expressed. The
content of kahiko dancing is mostly concerned with legends, ancient gods and goddesses, chiefs, and
royalty. That of 'auana can be virtually anything, from romance, to gossip, to praise of people and
places, to simply telling about a great party, picnic, or adventure someone had. For those who understand
Hawaiian, hula is a special treat, because the chanting or singing will most likely include word-play,
innuendo, and hidden meanings.
At competetive events like the Merrie Monarch Festival, the dancing follows a strict pattern, for the
benefit of the judges. First, there is the entrance, called ka'i, which is usually chanted by the
dancers; next is the dance itself, and finally there is the exit off stage, called ho'i, which is a
kind of procession accompanied by chanting or singing.
If you have an opportunity to see the Merrie Monarch Festival, in person, on television, or on a DVD, don't
miss it. There is nothing else like it in the entire world.
Copyright Huna International 2009
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