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Hawai'i

Hawaiian Flag


Population:
1.432 million

Land area: 6,423 sq mi

Capital: Honolulu

Languages: English, Hawaiian, Pidgin

 

Ancient Hula

Presented by, Na Hula 'O Moku'aina Kuhai Halau
This video shows a Hula Kahiko or Ancient Hula performance representing the Hawaiian culture. The girls chanting and dancing are the young women, or wāhine, of Nā Hula ʻO Mokuʻāina Kūhai Hālau, a Hula School based in Danville, California. The yellow-feathered implements the dancers are using are called ‘uli‘uli. The presentation was in November 2019 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California for the annual Ia ‘Oe E Ka Lā Hula Festival. The song the girls are performing tells the story of a swift runner, or kūkini in ancient Hawaiʻi. Kūkini were well-trained athletes whom the chiefs used as a delivery system for messages, packages, espionage intel, and medical aid. This song focuses on ʻEleʻio, a famous runner on the island of Maui. He runs from Lahaina to Hana, a distance of at least 50 miles, to fetch an awa fish for the chiefʻs feast. ʻEleʻio is so capable that he leaves from Lahaina in the morning as the feast is preparing, and returns in the evening with the fish by the time the feast is ready. 

 

Modern Hula

Presented by, Na Hula 'O Moku'aina Kuhai Halau
Modern Hula or Hula ‘Auana is supported musically with contemporary instruments such as ‘ukulele, guitar, bass and sometimes piano, violin and cello. The song melodies are in the Western musical style rather than chanting. This performance tells the story of a young man who is traveling from the small fishing village of Miloli‘i on Hawai‘i Island to Kalafrisco, Kaleponi (San Francisco, California). His bride asks him to bring back many gifts from the Mainland. He starts his journey by riding on a stubborn donkey, then travels to Waikīkī and gets on an elephant, finally boarding a plane to San Francisco. On his return, he rides the famous Lola steamer ship from Honolulu back to Miloliʻi and the same stubborn donkey

 

Halau Makana Lani

Ula No Weo is a traditional dance describing the natural beauty of the island of Kaua`i. Young ladies dance the hula with an instrument called `uli`uli or feather gourd.

Ke Ha`a A La Puna/ Aia La `O Pele- This traditional chant pays tribute to Pele, the diety of the Volcano. The ladies wear a red top to represent the lava flow of the volcano.

Ku`u Lei Hulili- The beautiful lei made of shiny beads found in the area of Ka`u in Big Island of Hawai`i as it compares to the star dust in the heavens. A lei is also symbolize a beloved person held in high regard. (Ladies in mandarin orange dresses)

Po La`i La`i - Describes a pleasant stroll under the moonlight and among the fragrance of the evening flowers. (Young ladies wearing a blue skirt)

Wahine `Ilikea- This hula speaks of three amazing waterfalls and the verdant land they so beautifully create on the island of Moloka`i. The ladies wear a lovely blue dress with white ruffle to represent the blue waters and the white foam of the waterfall.

Aloha No- Is a lovely hula referring to the pleasure of hearing the voice of a loved one through the telephone when distanced apart.

 

Ulupalakua

Presented by, Serenadin' Strummers
"Ulupalakua" is a hula that celebrates the Cowboy culture that exists in Hawaii. Most people don't think of cowboys in connection with Hawaii, but ranches exist high in the hills. Serenadin' Strummers dance and sing about the duties of the cowboys. Our gestures tell of the biting insects that bother the cowboys, the fragrance of the flowers that grow in high places and are used to create leis, and the duties of a cowboy as they herd the cattle.