Hula Dancing

Hula Dancing is considered a Hawaiian art form and is deeply rooted in the culture of the islands. What many people don't realize however, is that the Hula Dance isn't exclusive to Hawaii, but a traditional dance in Polynesia.

There are many styles of Hula Dancing Hula that are commonly divided into two types.

The first style of Hula is the ancient Hula. The ancient Hula is NOT the type of Hula dancing currently performed on the islands - it's a more rhythmic dance that is accompanied by chanting and song.

The modern version of the Hula has evolved over the past 200 hundred years and is what most people think of when they hear the word Hula. The modern Hula dance is often accompanied by guitar, ukulele and drums.

Traditional Hula Costumes

Traditional Hula costumes were a wrapped skirt, leis that were made from hand-picked flowers in the forest along with necklaces, bracelets and anklets.

Hula Dance Chants

The rhythmic chanting of traditional Hula dancing plays a special part in the performance as there was no written language at the time the dance was created. The singers were more like storytellers who passed on the story of creation, local myths and history to the people of the islands through song.

Instruments Used In Hula

Instruments used for the traditional Hula ceremony were native to the islands before the western influence and include;

Ipu - single gourd drum
Ipu heke - double gourd drum
Pahu - sharkskin covered drum; considered sacred
Puniu - small knee drum made of a coconut shell with fish skin cover
Iliili - water-worn lava stone used as castanets
Uliuli - feathered gourd rattles
Pu'ili - split bamboo sticks
Kala'au - rhythm sticks

Modern Hula instruments have a distinct Western flavor and influence as noted in the list below;

Ukulele - four-, six- or eight-stringed
Guitar - part of the rhythm section, or lead instrument
Steel guitar - accents the vocals
Bass - maintains the rhythm

As you can see the Hula dancing is much more than pretty girls in grass skirts swaying their hips and smiling. It's an important part of Hawaii's culture and history, and an event not to be missed on your Hawaiian vacation.

What To Do In Hawaii