Hula

Hula is a complex Hawaiian dance form that serves as a visual way to express chant (oli) or song (mele). Developed by the Native Hawaiians who settled the islands, hula dramatizes the specific words of a performance. It is much more than just movement; it is a way to portray stories, history, and emotions. Dancers use intricate hand motions to represent elements of nature, such as waves or swaying trees. They also use their hands to signal feelings like yearning or fondness.

The dance relies on a library of foot and hip movements, including steps like kaʻo and ʻami. While other Polynesian islands have related dances, hula is unique to the Hawaiian Islands.

There are two primary categories of hula: hula kahiko and hula ʻauana. Hula kahiko is the ancient style performed before Western encounters with Hawaiʻi. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments and chants. In contrast, hula ʻauana, which means "to wander" or "drift," evolved under Western influence during the 19th and 20th centuries. This modern style incorporates Western-influenced instruments like the guitar, the ukulele, and the double bass.

New terms are also emerging, such as "Monarchy" hula, which was composed during the 19th century. There is also "Ai Kahiko," which refers to modern hula written in the 20th or 21st centuries that follows ancient stylistic protocols.

Performing hula requires immense skill and discipline. Dancers can perform while sitting (noho) or standing (kāʻo), and some dances use both. The music for hula is often structured with strophic text, meaning it uses repeating stanzas. These stanzas are usually separated by a brief rhythmic interlude.

In modern genres like hula kuʻi and hula ʻōlapa, the text often consists of two or four lines. Each line is typically set to a uniform number of beats. This structure helps the dancers and musicians maintain a precise connection between the movement and the rhythm.

Historically, hula held deep spiritual significance. Many dances were religious performances dedicated to honoring Hawaiian gods or goddesses. Because these ceremonies were often held at a heiau, or platform temple, precision was vital. Even a minor error during a performance could be seen as invalidating the entire ritual. Such mistakes were sometimes viewed as signs of bad luck or dire consequences.

To prevent these errors, students were often ritually secluded. They practiced under the protection of the goddess Laka until they could emerge from seclusion through a successful ceremony.

Central to hula is the art of oli, or chant. In ancient Hawaiʻi, history was oral rather than written. Chants were used to codify genealogies and tell stories of creation and mythology. Because accuracy was essential, these chants were memorized and passed down through generations.

Hawaiians believed that language possessed mana, which is power derived from a spiritual source. This made the work of haku mele (composers) and chanters extremely important. There are many types of oli, ranging from mele pule (prayer) to kanikau (lamentation). The Hawaiian language even contains 43 different words to describe various qualities of the voice.

Performers use a variety of specialized instruments to accompany the dance. These include the pahu, a sacred drum covered in sharkskin, and the ipu, a drum made from a gourd.

Other tools include the ʻuliʻuli, which are feathered gourd rattles, and pūili, which are split bamboo sticks. Dancers might also use iliili, which are water-worn lava stones used like castanets. Some male dancers even wear dog's-tooth anklets that create sound when they stamp their feet. These instruments provide the rhythmic foundation that allows the dancer to express the poetic text.

Despite a period of decline due to the banning of the Hawaiian language in 1896, hula has experienced a massive resurgence. A cultural revival began in the late 1960s and continues today. This movement is supported by institutions like Pūnana Leo immersion schools and major competitions.

The Merrie Monarch Festival, which began in 1971, is a major event for celebrating the art. Today, students learn in hālau hula (hula schools) under the guidance of a kumu (teacher). This ensures that the traditions, the language, and the profound meaning of hula are preserved for the future.