HULA
“Hula”, is one of the most well known Hawaiian words and immediately brings to mind the image of beautiful girls, grass skirts, coconuts, and swaying hips. It’s one of the things you probably think about when you conjure up pictures of Hawaii, but it belies the real essence of what Hula represents to native Hawaiians and those who know what a joy it is to immerse themselves in the spirit of the dance. You may only think of Hula as being danced by females but there's also a male hula dance style that's especially powerful and very moving.


You can choose to experience the art of Hula on one of our Spirit of Aloha Retreats. On the "On Tour" Retreat programme, part of the workshop time will be spent learning Hula, with the emphasis on having fun whilst appreciating it's cultural significance. Or when available you can choose the Spirit of Aloha dedicated Hula programme where the whole of the workshop time is focused on learning only Hula.

Learning Hula is great fun and when you acquire even just a little skill, dancing Hula is like a moving meditation that allows you to fully experience your connection with spirit.

A Brief History
The ancient Hawaiians had no written language but expressed their stories, ancestry, legends, history and prayers through rhythmic chants and the graceful movements of the hula dance. In Hawaiian culture Hula is a reflection of life, it’s a way of retelling history, it’s an expression of joy, it’s a piece of moving art. The chant tells the story and the hula sets the story in motion. One of the old Hawaiian Kings said “Hula is the language of the heart and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people”

Like other aspects of Hawaiian culture Hula was almost lost to her people and the rest of the world. It lapsed for a time in the 19th Century due to the influence of the missionaries who thought it a heathen practice, and the Queen Regent, who converted to Christianity, agreed to ban the performance of Hula in public. It enjoyed a brief renaissance in the reign of Kamehameha IV and King David La’amea Kalakaua but after his death in 1891 the practice of Hawaiian culture once again fell from approval. By 1896 when the Hawaiian language was banned from schools, the hula had almost disappeared.

But the sacred Hula dances in their many forms, different styles and family traditions were kept alive by the kapuna (elders) and were passed down as a gift through many generations. So a dance that was almost lost, a tradition that almost perished is now being enjoyed and shared with the rest of the world. The pride of the Hawaiian people in their rich cultural tradition that has slept silently for many years has been awakened.

Within the hula tradition, there are more than a dozen types of Hula, but people commonly refer to two broad hula styles: the ancient or traditional style, called Kahiko¸ which is a deeply ceremonial and moving form, danced to chants (oli); and the Auana or modern Hula, which is very flowing and danced to songs (mele).

Ensuring that the art is kept alive and perpetuating interest in Hula two major competitions, a great spectacle with male and female dancers, either competing as individuals or in groups, are held each year. The Merrie Monarch Festival usually in April on the Big Island of Hawaii and The King Kamehameha Traditional Hula and Chant Competition each June on Oahu.


Kumu Hula
A Kumu Hula is a much revered Hula teacher, and each Kumu Hula, will have spent many years studying the art and ceremony of the ancient art of Hula, as well as developing a deep understanding of all the other aspects of Hawaiian tradition and culture. The Kumu Hula lineage of the Na Haumana (students) who bring Hula to you includes that of Kumu Hula Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, a master dancer, chanter and singer. He is also a well-known Haku Mele (composer) and has written well over 100 songs and chants. We honour his lineage and acknowledge his teachers who include his grandmother, Iwa Kanae, Aunty Emma DeFries and Edith Kanaka’ole. On some workshops the Na Haumana will have studied with different Kumu Hula from other rich and diverse traditions

‘A’a I ka hula,
waiho ka hilahila I ka hale
ka halau ho'okahi

"When one wants to dance the hula,
leave bashfulness at home"

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