Hula
The Heartbeat of Hawai`i
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Some hula basics

Na `Oni Hula
The Movements

Basic Moves
Each move has six directionals: 

I luna – Up
I lalo – Down
I mua – Forward
I hope – Back
`Akau – Right
Hema - Left

Stance-based Moves:

Ha`a – Basic bent-knee stance from which many hula moves are derived.
Lewa – "Lift," starting from the ha`a, the hips are lifted alternately.
Hela – Starting from the ha`a, the feet are alternately placed out to the front.
Ka`i – Starting from the ha`a, one foot is lifted and the weight-bearing food lifts the heel and then taps it again on the ground, alternating feet.

`Ami – Rotation of the hips.
 `Ami `ami – An `ami which exaggerates the forward-back motion (considered vulgar by my kupuna).
 `Ami honua – An exaggerated `ami (lt. world `ami)
 `Ami hue – A very rapid `ami similar to the `ami ku`upau.
 `Ami kahela / `Ami poepoe – An `ami in which the weight rests on one foot and the other heel keeps time.
 `Ami kuku – A rapid form of `ami done in sets of three.
 `Ami ku`upau – A very rapid form of `ami, similar to the Tahitian step (lit. uninhibited `ami).
 `Ami `oniu – Figure-eight `ami (lit. spinning `ami).
 `Ami `opu – An `ami which exaggerates the forward movement of the hips (considered vulgar by my kupuna). 

`Uwehe – Starting with the ha`a, the weight hangs from the weight-bearing hip. 1, lift free foot. 2, Set foot down. 3, pause. 4, "pop" heels.
 Lele `uwehe – 1, weight hangs from weight-bearing hip, "rainbow" free foot to side. 2, Shift weight and hela with other foot. 3, bring foot back. 4, pop heels.
`Ūlili – Similar to `wehe, but only one heel is lifted at a time.

 Ki`i wawae ma waho -  1, Weight hangs from weight-bearing hip, free foot hela front. 2 free foot point to side. 3, Foot returns to center. 4, pop heels.
 Ki`i wawae ma loko -  Same as above, but start at side.

Travel-based Moves 

Kaholo – "Travel," lateral movement using the lewa.
Kaholo Ka`i – A kaholo incorporating the ka`i step.
Kaholo ne`ene`e – A kaholo incorporating the `oniu.
Kaholo Koloa – Duck walk.
Kaholoholo – A double kaholo.
Kaholo kaiue – A kaholo in which the hips swing strongly from side to side.
Kawelu – A "grapevine"-like travel in which the lead foot moves foreward and back (lit. flutter)  
Kōlea – A rapid three-step run, usually side to side, similar to movements of the kōlea bird when hunting food.
Hehi – A forward travel in which the foot is placed flat on the ground and then the heel lifted and tapped before repeating with the other foot.
Hehi miomio – A forward travel in which the toe is placed on the ground and then the heel tapped down before repeating with the other foot.

Sitting Moves
I was taught to sit kneeling with the legs on each side of my "puapua" (tail). But some halau sit on top of the legs.

Iluna – Rising up on the knees
Ilalo – settling back down between the legs
`Ami – Rising up on the knees so the thighs are about 45 degrees from vertical and rotating the hips.
 `Ami `ami 
 `Ami honua
 `Ami hue
 `Ami kuku
 `Ami `oniu
 `Ami `opu
Kiki`i kua – Starting from i luna, lowering the body backwards.
Kiki`i noho – Starting from i lalo, lowering the body backwards.
Po`ohiwi ka`a -  Starting from i lalo, lowering one shoulder to the mat and then rolling across the shoulders to the other and returning to upright.  

!!NEW!!
     Updates are at the: Ka`ahele Hawai`i Interactive Forum in the "Hula" folder. If you would like to join me for an activity, please phone me at 935-1722. This schedule is provided for the serious student who wishes to use these opportunities to learn more about Hawaiian culture and the hula. The schedule is subject to change at any moment, and without notice, so PLEASE phone me to make arrangements to participate! For gigs, please see my performance schedule.

Hawaiian Music Resource -
www.huapala.org

2004 Lunar Phases - http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/astronomy/moon2004.html

Excellent lunar phase calculator - http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/vphase.html 

Native Hawaiian Moon Calendar - http://www.angelfire.com/sports/huntfishmaui/moon.html

Hawaiian Calendar in Fishing - http://www.oceanicinstitute.org/research/abstrfishenv_mooncalendar.html

Bishop Museum Info - http://explorers.bishopmuseum.org/sciencegarden/eTheSky/calendar.html

Bibliography:

Sacred Hula, The Historical Hula `Ala`apapa, Amy Ku`uleialoha Stillman

Hawaiian Dictionary, Pukui & Elbert, University of Hawai`i Press