Hula
The Heartbeat of Hawai`i
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Types of Hula

     Today, we have many styles of hula: The hula can be divided by style, by subject matter, by era, and so many other ways. There are over 300 different kinds of hula which have been cataloged so far by the Hula Preservation Society.
      Within each of the main categories of hula are many varients and styles. Some are specific to geographic areas; the hula of Moloka`i are different from the hula of Hilo, the hula of Hilo are different form the hula of Kona. Some are specific to families; Kanaka`ole hula are very different form Beamer hula. The hula is a living art form, and innovative kumu evolve new styles. Other kumu focus on preserving the old.
      Every hula dancer learns the saying: A`ohe pau ka `ike i ka halau ho`okahi - "Not all knowledge is taught in one school"
     Throughout all of the styles, however, there is one defining characteristic - hula is storytelling. Without the story, there is no hula. Within each style of hula there is a vocabulary of motion which is consistent within that style. An educated hula dancer can see another dancer and tell the genealogy, the lineal decent from teacher to teacher, of the dancer by his or her "accent" in the movements.
     As Kaeppler says, in Hula Pahu, Volume I, Ha`a and Hula Pahu, "The movement systems were part of the underlying structure of Hawaiian society, while the movements themselves were surface manifestations of human action and interaction in specific contexts. A sequence of movement motifs is given meaning through choreography, but the movement dimension is only one component of a larger social activity that must be understood as a whole if one is to understand what or how movement communicates in a particular instance. Meaning is conveyed through cultural conventions that deal with human movement in time and space."

`Ai Kahiko - refers to modern hula which are done in the style of ancient hula.

Ha`a - 1) A sacred style of hula kahiko also used in mourning contexts. According to Kaeppler, ha`a also was performed by gods and non-humans, including natural forces such as flowers, birds, trees, lava, and puppets - which often were personifications of gods. The traditional accompaniment is the pahu hula (carved wooden drum). 2) A bent-knee stance used in ha`a and hula.

Hapa Haole Hula - "Part Foreign Hula," a term for the hula danced to English lyrics, or songs which incorporate English or other languages into a Hawaiian song. It is the hula most people not reared in Hawai`i first see - most typified by songs like I Wanna Go Back to My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua Hawai`i. But strictly speaking, it is any hula which incorporates English or other foreign words. Right: Thelma Floy Stephenson and her Ukulele Serenaders, 1920s St. Louis MO. Photographer unknown

Hula `Ala`apapa - a sacred hula kahiko. It is a type of dramatic hula in which the mele (song) is chanted, the dancer performs standing, and movements tend to be vigorous and bombastic. The traditional accompaniment is the ipu heke (double gourd drum). 

Left: Yoshi Doi Performing a hula `ala`apapa at Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Photographer unknown

Hula `Auana - "Wandering hula," a term for the interpretive hula which evolved during the monarchy and can incorporate foreign imagery, musical motifs, and dance steps. Originally, it was strongly influenced by the music and dance of the vaqueros who came to the islands to teach the Hawaiians to work cattle.

Dancing the hula `auana
at a canoe club lu`au

Dancing hula `auana at a restaurant.

Hula Kahiko - A relatively modern term which refers collectively to the ancient styles of hula, which may be divided into Pre-European Contact, Early Monarchy, and Late Monarchy eras. Hula kahiko often speaks of the gods and royalty. It is often characterized by a more formal presentation, and adherence to the traditional steps and subject matter. 

Hula Noho is the seated hula. In the early part of the 20th century, it was the only style of hula considered by many to be acceptable for females to dance!

Photographer: Kaori Mitani

Hula `Olapa - Similar to ala`apapa, but not sacred in nature.

Implement Hula

     In addition to the dancer's body, various impliments are used. These include different kinds of drums, rattles, rhythm sticks, and other items. 
     Click here to learn more.

To see  products with Leilehua's artwork, click on any of the images of her paintings.

Hula `Uli`uli uses the feathered gourd. The kahiko style uses one `uli`uli. The `auana style uses two.

Hula ka La`au is a style performed with rhythm sticks. the more ancient style uses one long and one short stick. The more modern style uses two sticks of equal length.

Performing Hula Ka La`au in
 Los Angeles for the 
US-China Friendship
 Association

Hula Ipu is dance with the gourd drum.