Halau O Kahealani

`Ai ha`a: hula step executed with bended knee

 

`Ami: rotation of hips

 

`Ami kûkû: like the `ami kähela except the revolutions are smaller, faster and in groups of three; sometimes combined with two slower kähele revolutions

 

`Ami `ôniu (spinning): figure-eight ha`a step; the revolving hips (`ami) form an "8" with the weight shifting

 

Hela: one foot is placed at about a 45 degree angle to the front/side with the weight on the opposite hip and the knees bent; the foot is then returned to the original position and the step is repeated with the other foot.

 

Holo: running holo step to the side, similar to kaholo except the feet are not necessarily brought together. Used in "Aua Ia I Kamapua`a"

 

Kâholo: the ha`a vamp step, more common in modern than in ancient dances, consisting of 4 counts:

#1 one foot is extended in a straight line to the side

#2 the other foot is brought along side

#3 first foot is again extended in a straight line to the side

#4 the other foot is again brought along side the first foot

 

Kâwelu, Kalâkaua: One foot taps time with the heel, the toes being stationary while the other foot, flat position, steps forward and back, the same distance, 2 or more times. The step is repeated, reversing the feet. This step is called Kalakaua in English because it was used to begin the ha`a hula dedicated to King David Kaläkaua. Some halaus use the term kaläkaua when this step is done in place to differentiate from käwelu as the same step (front and back) that moves progressively to either side

 

Kî`i, Wâewae Kî`i: right foot points to the side (3:00), front (1:00), back into position with the left foot. Left foot repeats the same movements, side (9:00), front (11:00), back into position, on the opposite side. Some halaus incorporate an `uwehe when the 2 feet are back in the same position. This step is often used at the end of Olapa/Ala`apapa dances. Legend says Hi`iaka-i-ka-poli-o-Pele and Hopoe danced the hula on Pu`u Ki`i, an islet at Ka-pueo-kahi harbor of Hana, Maui. It is said that this step was first danced here.

 

Lele: the dancer walks forward lifting the heel with each step, with a slight inward movement

 

Lele `Uwehe: the `uwehe and lele steps are combined. Step with right foot, bringing the left foot to a hela position, bring left foot back into position beside right foot, then `uwehe. Repeat on other side

 

`Uwehe,`uehe,`uweke: one foot is lifted with weight shifting to the opposite hip as that foot is "Uehe" lowered; both knees are then pushed forward by the quick raising of the heels, with continued swaying of the hips from side to side. The actions are then repeated in reverse.

 

Ku`i: hop onto the right foot moving to the right while bringing the left heel with the toes pointing to the extreme left, approximately 6" in front of the right knee being sure that the body doesn't bounce (isolate action to the legs). The hop is executed 4 times then repeated to the left. Note: a loud stomping sound is preferred when executing the hops
Definition: 1. To pound, punch, strike; to beat out; to churn, 2.To join, stitch, sew, splice, united; joined; seam Hula ku`i, any interpretive hula so called since the days of Kalakaua; literally, joined

 

Ka'o: this step name is widely used but there is no origin for its usage or meaning for the word
Usage: sway side to side

 

 

Ipu — single gourd drum

Ipu heke — double gourd drum

Pahu — sharkskin covered drum; considered sacred

Pūniu — small knee drum made of a coconut shell with fish skin (kala) cover

ʻIliʻili — water-worn lava stone used as castanets

ʻUli'Uli— feathered gourd rattles

Puʻili — split bamboo sticks

Kalaʻau — rhythm sticks