Hula truly expresses life from the Hawaiian perspective. Living in harmony with the elements and all of nature, every movement in hula is reflective of life around us. Telling the story is more than just motion, it is also emotion. We are all moved by feelings whether they be joy, sadness, pain, jealousy or love. Telling a story with hidden meanings is a poetic way of describing something with the senses and imagination. Hawaiian thought and practice was always conducted in a respectful and gentle manner, so all expression in motion for the story would reflect that way of belief. Hula is a form of dance that utilizes the whole body all work together simaltaneously to project the intent of the mele (song). Subtleties of the eyebrows, a glance, a smile help one understand the feelings of the songwriter. So the saying, “keep your eyes on the hands” is a misnomer, you need to watch the whole person!

Hula records the lives of the many Ali’i (kings) and all their accomplishments for future generations. Most importantly, hula gave praise, honor and respect to the gods.

Oli (chant) was so important to the Hawaiian culture that a child who showed a propensity in memory dedicated his entire life to train and learn all the geneology of one particular Ali’i family. This oral history was utmost in importance to prove the rightful rulership among the royal families. The Kü’auhau (geneologists) had their own method of deliverance but there were recognized styles of chants. Olioli, a straightforward style of chant, Olioli with ‘i’i, a vibrato type of ending, Kepakepa, a quick stacato style of chant, Ho’oipoipo, a loving drawn out style of chant about/for love. Different types of chants were Prayer chants (Mele pule ho’oülu), love of a sweetheart (ho’oipoipo), place name chants (mele pane) and all other subjects in life.

Hula in its entirety was so important in the ancient way of life that the dancers were chosen at a young age and dedicated to live separate from their biological families. They were trained in the hula halau in all the subjects required to be an olapa (dancer) or ho’opa’a (chanter musician). Learning the protocal oli’s and things pertaining to deifying the ku’ahu (hula alter) gathering the greenery for the ku’ahu as well and making their lei’s and costumes for the dance. They lived and breathed to express the hula.

Written by Wainani Hyman, January 29, 2004