For some of you who don't know I love dancing but, hula is different. It ain't a type of dance I specialize in especially when dancing a hula kahiko that utilizes the alo lua style. Alo lua is when you dance the same steps and movements on both sides, you start on the right on one verse and when the verse is repeated you start on the left side. I'm a lot better at hula kahiko that repeats the verse on the same side. My mind can't talk to my hands and feet
at the same time it takes me weeks to understand, but I'll get it.We learned two songs, "Kawika" and "Aia e ka nani i Puaka'ilima." "Kawika is a song that honors Hawai'i's last king King David Kalakaua. It was the first song we learned.
The next song honors Queen Emma who was married to Alexander Liholiho (Kamehameha IV.) This song got me moving off beat, looking all over the place, and got me all confused. It takes a lot of practice because it challenges us by doing it on the right then on the left but it really is a lovely song.
The foot movements we learned so far are the kaholo, which you take four steps to the right and then four steps to the left. Next is the hela, this is were you move your foot right in front of you flat on the ground and then back, and than the same with the left. Third step is called the 'uwehe this is when you step and than thrust you knees forward, step with your right and thrust (not too much) step with your left and thrust. Lastly we have the 'ami where you move your hips in a circular motion, moving only your hips. Here are a few rules to remember,don't forget to keep your knees slightly bent, keep your back straight, don't bounce when doing the hela, and don't forget to SMILE!
9 comments:
Dancing hula is fun, but you need to work very, very hard. Yesterday, (Sunday, July 22) we worked extremely hard. But it was fun, we learned a new hula called, "Aia e ka nani, i puaka'ilima."
*Kahea
I do not seem to have enough coordination to dance hula! It really takes a lot of concentration and eye hand coordination, and sometimes I catch myself frowning because I'm thinking so hard. I have a lot more respect for hula dancers now. Despite it being hard, I still enjoy "papa hula" time.
Mahalo for the hard work.. I think it was the most challenging day of Papa Hula yet however you will all enjoy presenting it for our new friends!
K.Iokepa
I agree chiquita. Hula is not for me. But overall I had a lot of fun experiencing a dance that I don't do everyday. Hula served as a great opportunity to learn about some of Hawai'i's history. Smiling was really hard to do because I really felt fake and I don't like making fake smiles. Most of the time my legs and calves were hurting. I told No'i and she said that if they were hurting that means I was doing it right. Okay cool. Yeah right!.....
Hula is fun.
I am very grateful that we are able to take the time to work our bodies through hula, for it is one of my hobbies. I don`t want to go back home and be out of shape! I`ve learned Kawika before, but have never learned Aia e Ka Nani i Puaka`ilima. It has become one of my favorites because it`s simple, yet nice!
Holy smokes I stink at dancing hula. I still have fun though. Oh my goodness, but the uehe is some hard stuff man. My legs literally shake just hearing kumu say it. Its so sore. I love it though "he inoa no Emalani". that's really hard. Kahea..No'i..help me!
The first hula we learned seemed very easy. But the new one that we learned I'm having some difficulty with. The moves and the foot work of the new hula were learning are much more complicated that of Kawika. I agree with you Kahea. That one day after the dance party on saturday night, my muscles were just aching, then we spent about an hour or so learning a difficult hula dance. But I like dancing hula because it's fun and I feel more in touch with my Hawaiian culture.
Hula is a lot of fun, and I enjoy doing it even though I may not be the most skilled, but that's okay. Hula may not be for me, but I think I should tryout for Ho'ike this coming year for school . . . just a thought.
I had a very difficult time to get to dance hula. I really wasn't good at all until I kept on practicing, and with the help of my companions, I was able to be lot better at dancing the Hula. Thank you all for helping me with to dance hula, it was really fun after all. Thanks to you to Kumu Iokepa and Malia for all your help.
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