Hula Auana

Modern Hula of Hawai'i

In 1874 David Kalakaua became king of the Hawaiian Islands. He was known as the 'Merrie Monarch'. For those days he was very progressive. Under his leadership and according to his rules new Kumu Hula (dance teachers) were appointed. Because of him the Hula revived.

Hula's of those days are known as Hula Ku'i, which stands for joined, as a bridge between two shores, being the ancient (Kahiko) and the modern (Auana) hula's. Hula was presented in a more modern way.

Nowadays what people know as the Hula is Hula Auana. The show aspects of dancing are more emphasised in this hula. It is more modern and informal, whithout ceremonies, offerings or rituals. The songs are sung and accompanied by guitars, ukelele and bass-guitar.

Fragrant flower lei

Graceful and cheerful

'He makana o na lei nani'. The traditional Hawaiian way of welcoming guests is wellknown all over the world. Visitors are given a warm welcome by getting a sweet-smelling flower lei.

However the lei is not only being used as a gift of welcome. In Hula it is being used as decoration or adornment for the head or neck of the dancers. A lei is often made out of flowers, but leaves, shells, feathers or seeds are also used for this purpose.

Melodic guitar music

Relaxing in tropical atmosphere

Traditional Hawaiian instrumental music owes its unique sound to the slack-key guitar style. To this style, young Hawaiian musicians have added more instruments and some elements of standard popular music to derive a musical sound that is still valid within the Hawaiian framework, while appealing to a wider audience than before. Many of the new songs reflect a yearning for the simplicity of a way of life now past, coupled with a love of the land and a concern for what is being done to it.

Uli uli and pu'ili

Colourful instruments for extra rythm

The performance of a 'hula uli uli' needs the use of a rattle, which is called 'uli uli'.

An uli uli is a gourd filled with small shells, seeds or pebbles. Uli uli have a handle attached to one end, and this handle usually is attached to a counterweight which may be covered by special material (tapa), feathers or both.

Generally, but not always, people performing hula in the ancient manner (Hula Kahiko) will use a single 'uli uli' decorated with natural feathers and tapa, or with an unadorned handle.

Brightly dyed feathers usually cover the heads of 'uli uli' used in modern style dances, and dancers will commonly perform with two of these implements.

While dancing a 'hula pu'ili' the dancer will accompany her self with a bamboo rattle, the so called 'pu'ili'. This 'pu'ili' is made of nodes of bamboo split lengthwise into many strips which run most of the node's length.

The dancer holds the uncut portion in one hand, striking it against either the free hand, the body, the floor or another 'pu'ili'.

In many, but not all cases, ancient dances use one 'pu'ili', and modern ones two