Hawaiian Folk Dance

• Country: United States Hawaii

• History:

The hula is a subtle, graceful, and very traditional Hawaiian folk dance. The special movements of the hands and body by the dancers tell a specific story. The Hukilau (HOO-key-lau) is one of the happiest, most popular Hawaiian dances and is enjoyed by both children and adults. The words and motions tell the story of a fishing party.

Hula (pron.: /ˈhuːlə/) is a dance form accompanied by chant (oli) or song (mele). It was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. The hula dramatizes or portrays the words of the oli or mele in a visual dance form.

There are many sub-styles of hula, with the main two categories being Hula 'Auana and Hula Kahiko. Ancient hula, as performed before Western encounters with Hawaiʻi, is called kahiko. It is accompanied by chant and traditional instruments. Hula, as it evolved under Western influence in the 19th and 20th centuries, is called ʻauana (a word that means "to wander" or "drift"). It is accompanied by song and Western-influenced musical instruments such as the guitar, the ʻukulele, and the double bass.

• • Music:

  • Dance Steps: Hukilau-See File below.

• Formation: Individual