Directions for Hula Dancing

Hawaii is known for its breathtaking landscapes.

Popularized in the 1900s by beautiful women swaying on the beach to festive music, hula dancing is one of Hawaiian culture's most recognized art forms. Traditional hula dancing represents more than grass skirts and smooth movement; it tells a story. Each lucid gesture represents the movement of the wind, the trees and the fish of the ocean. Due to the level of complexity, untrained novices learn basic steps to perform a simple hula dance.

Things You'll Need

• Traditional Hawaiian music

Instructions

Simple Arm and Foot Movements

1. Perform the Ami by completing these steps as one smooth movement. Place your arms in a U shape, and put your hands together with slightly bent elbows. Bring your arms down so your hands are at shoulder length, then place your hands at waist level with your palms facing downward. Next, place your hands to the side with your palms still facing downward and the elbows bent. Perform this movement along with the arm-swaying motion detailed in Step 2.

2. Perform the arm-swaying motion by putting your hands out to the side with the palms facing downward. Bend the left arm so your fingers are in front of your chest. Hold the right arm outward with your fingers pointed, then bend the right arm to your chest while moving the left arm outward. Continue this movement throughout the dance.

3. Perform the Kelamoku foot movement by placing one foot on the ground and holding the other one outward. Tap the outward foot heel to toe four times to the beat of the music. Alternate and do the same with the other foot. While performing these steps, bend your knees and hold your hand to the side with your fingers pointed upward. Sway your body to the beat.

4. Perform the Ulepahu by stomping your feet to the beat. Stomp your right foot on the first beat, your left foot on the second beat stomp, your right foot on the third beat and your left foot on the fourth beat.

5. Perform the Hehi by leaving the right foot on the ground and raising the left leg below hip level. On the next beat, stomp the right foot while holding the left leg in the air. On the third beat, alternate legs by lifting your right leg into the air and placing the left foot on the ground. On the fourth beat, stomp your left foot while holding the right leg in the air.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't need the traditional grass skirt to perform a hula dance. Wear clothes that will allow you to move comfortably.

References

• Hula Dance HQ: Hula Dance Hand Motions And Gestures
• Hula Dance HQ: Hula Dance Steps
• Hula Dance HQ: Hula Dancing History