Hula dancing developed in Hawaii and has two main categories - Kahiko, the ancient traditional style accompanied by drums and chanting used to pass down history, and Auana, the modern style influenced by Western culture and accompanied by guitars and ukuleles with slower, more graceful movements used mainly for entertainment. Key instruments of hula include pahu drums, ipu gourd drums, ukuleles, and the dancer's own body movements which tell stories and reflect the meaning of accompanying songs.

1. Hula Kahiko & Auana:

2. What is hula dancing?
• A form of dance
developed in the
Hawaiian islands,
accompanied by song
or chant
• The movements of the
body and hands
translate or reflect the
meaning of the song
• There are two main
categories of hula
dancing: Kahiko and
Auana

3. History of Hula
• Some legends say that Laka, goddess of the
hula, gave birth to the dance on the island of
Moloka‘i.
• In the early 1800s, American Protestant
missionaries banned the hula as a heathen
dance.

4. History of Hula, cont.
•In the late 1800s, King
David Kalakaua bought
back the traditional arts of
Hawaii.
•Today, Hawaii holds
annual hula competitions
and festivals to preserve
and celebrate Hawaiian
culture and dance. The
most distinguished is the
Merrie Monarch festival,
held in memory of King
Kalakaua.

5. • Kahiko is an ancient
hula
• It is often accompanied
by mele (chanting) and
the pahu (traditional
drum)
• Hawaiians used Kahiko
dance to pass down
stories and history
accurately since there
was no written language
– Stories spoke of
powerful figures or Hula Kahiko
events, mythology
and creation.

6. Kahiko Instruments
Pahu • Shark-skin covered wooden
drum, often made from coconut
log or breadfruit wood
• Instrument is either played with
the fingertips of the palms of the
hand
• Drums gives off a deep tone
• Often used to accommodate
Kahiko hula

7. Ipu
• This hollowed-up single
or double gourd drum
helps in keeping a steady
beat to the hula.
• It is used by slapping the
drum with the hands
(pa’i) and fingers and
stamping on the ground
or on a mat (ku).

8. Auana Hula
• Modern hula, influenced by Western culture
– Slack key guitar and ukulele are used
rather than the Pahu
– Music followed a more melodic harmony
• In comparison to Kahiko’s more brisk and
fast-paced movements, Auana is slower and
more graceful
• Auana is mainly used for entertainment
• Movements are also used to tell a story

9. Hula Auana Sound Clips
Hula Auana
Hula Auana: Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai (Plants of the Sea)

10. Ukulele
Ukulele sound clip
• Adapted from early European
influences
• Comes from the guitar family with
four strings
• Mainly made from local Hawaiian
wood, Koa
• There are 4 different types of
ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor
and baritone

11. Review
• What is the difference between hula Kahiko and
hula Auana?
– In sound?
– In dancing style?
• What is purpose for hula in Hawaiian culture?
• Name the instruments and implements used in hula
Auana and Kahiko.