Category Archives: hula

on my mind . . . kuleana !

Posted on February 9, 2012 by

“Thatʻs your kuleana.” Translation: Thatʻs your responsibility. Thatʻs your thing. Thatʻs what youʻre supposed to do. Thatʻs your obligation. Thatʻs your contribution. Thatʻs your piece of the puzzle. Thatʻs your arena. Thatʻs your domain. Thatʻs your part of the whole. … Continue reading →

Posted in hula, on my mind . . ., remarks | 4 Comments

Playlist for MUS 478B Fall 2010: HULA

Posted on August 28, 2010 by

From Ancient to Modern. From kuahu to ʻauana. Here we go! A. HULA PAHU There are many excellent recordings to choose from. The CD Hawaiian Drum Dance Chants (Smithsonian Folkways SF-40015) makes available important historical recordings by chanters Kuluwaimaka, Pua … Continue reading →

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SONGS: Kawika

Posted on August 18, 2010 by

One of the dances that virtually every hula student learns at some point in her or his dancing days. Usually as a hula kahiko–ancient hula. But also performed as a modern hula ‘auana, too. The mele has all of the … Continue reading →

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Hula Ku‘i & Hula ‘Ōlapa–The “Crossovers”

Posted on August 8, 2010 by

When talking about “ancient hula” and “modern hula,” some folks like to draw an impenetrable boundary between the two categories. Ancient hula uses traditional percussive instruments  to accompany the standing dances–ipu, pahu. Modern hula uses stringed instruments to accompany dances. … Continue reading →

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SONGS: ‘Alika

Posted on April 11, 2010 by

As a scholar and researcher, I have had many opportunities to see and hear many different sources of information. Since I began blogging about Hawaiian music last August (2009), it has become more evident that this blog is a great … Continue reading →

Posted in hula, recommendations, recordings, Songs | 9 Comments

Hula Ku‘i Songs

Posted on March 27, 2010 by

The hula ku‘i is the innovative “modern” hula that debuted in the late 1800s, particularly during the reign of King David Kalākaua (r. 1874-1891). Among the hula performances at ‘Iolani Palace during his reigh,  King Kalākaua‘s coronation ceremony in February … Continue reading →

Posted in hula, recommendations, recordings | 1 Comment

‘Ukulele Trio Music

Posted on February 26, 2010 by

‘Ukulele trio . . . hula music . . . hula ku‘i songs . . . Hula dancers love to dance. Hula teachers know, however, that not all CDs or all songs are equally suitable for hula dancing. Some of … Continue reading →

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Scaling the Heights of Disrespect

Posted on October 19, 2009 by

What was Who thinking ????? Nathaniel Emersonʻs 1915 translation/retelling of the epic saga, Pele and Hiiaka, places this mele right on page 1 of Chapter 1. At Peleʻs request, Hiʻiaka entertains her with the dance taught by Hiiaka’s companion, Hopoe. This … Continue reading →

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Hula ʻŌlapa — An Introduction

Posted on September 30, 2009 by

The very third post on this blog (on Aug. 23, 2009) was an introduction to core repertoire for hula ‘āla‘apapa. Yet I did a very cheeky thing by starting my explanation in this way: As far as how to distinguish … Continue reading →

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Hula ‘Āla‘apapa — an introduction

Posted on August 23, 2009 by

My hula students are a courageous group. From the familiar and comfortable world of hula ‘ōlapa, they are now exploring the more esoteric world of hula ‘āla‘apapa, which was the topic of my first (and accidental) book—Sacred Hula: The Historical … Continue reading →

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