Hula Reviews

Ward Warehouse Beginner Hula

2007-03-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

Place	Ward Warehouse stage area, under Spaghetti Factory, next to Na Mea Hawai`i
Scheduled Time	5-6 Thursdays
Actual Start/End Time	Start time-5:12, End time-6:05
Instructor	Germaine Kaleolani Haili (female) germaine@nativebookshawaii.com 596-8885
Cost	FREE
# of Students	16
Procedure	Just show up at the stage area
Language Spoken	Hawaiian & English Germaine emphasized the importance of Hawaiian language for hula. Without knowing the meaning of the song, you cannot dance it with feeling. Her instruction for this class included 2 chants and 5 different sections of basic steps in Hawaiian. Germaine went over the translation briefly for new students.
Student Attire	25% of the students wore hula skirts. Although it is custom to go bare feet while dancing hula, some dancers wore black socks. This is because after dancing, you will have black dirt caked onto your feet.
Student Type	30% Asian visitors, 54% mainland visitors, 10% local, 6% children Many students were returning students and seemed to have had some prior knowledge of basic steps and Hawaiian chants. 15 female, 1 male
Break Time	N/A
Type of Hula	Basic steps
Steps	Kaholo, hela, `uwehe, hele malie, kaholo i hope, ne`e `uwehe, hele `uwehe, `uwehe, `uwehe i mua, `uwehe i hope, `ami `akau, `ami hema, `ami kuku akau, `ami kuku hema, ka`o, ka`o i mua, ka`o i hope, ka`o i lalo, kalakaua `akau i mua, kalakaua `akau i hope, kalakaua `akau hele a`e, oniu, ku`i akau, ku`i hema, ka`i i mua, ka`i i hope, and demonstration of hele koloa (duck walk)
Fingers	Emphasized that the space between your fingers should be no thicker than a dime
Hands	Arms remained up to chest with fingertips pointing together, palms down and elbows up and out
Facial Expression	N/A
Error Correction	Germaine starts class saying that she is “serious” about hula. She corrects students’ errors accordingly but with a smile and light manner.
Instruments Used to Lead Class	`ipu with chanting and basics CD with basics
Pace	1^st 40 minutes of class: went over the 2 Hawaiian chants and the 5 sections of basic steps while students gathered on the carpeted stage area. Instructor talked about how to do steps the right way, and also history, language and culture of hula. 2^nd 20 minutes of class: students danced basic hula steps on the concrete stage area.
Recommended for	Anyone who wants to learn Hawaiian language and the culture and history of hula.
Materials/Services Offered	3 handouts: 2 of the Hawaiian chants, 1 of the basic hula steps. Students are asked to put this in a binder by the following week.
Interesting Side Notes	The class ends in a cheer: reciting of the Hawaiian vowels and the name of the hula school. To emphasize how serious the instructor is about hula, she asked the class to do homework and look up the Hawaiian words in the chant. She said that hula class is like a canoe and everyone has to do their part in working hard. Those who do not improve after a reasonable amount of time will sit and watch other students dance. There is another class on Tuesdays 8:30-9:00 a.m. called “Introduction to Hula (Adult)” by the same teacher.
Date Observed	3/2/07

Ward Warehouse Intermediate Hula

2007-03-02T12:11:00.000-08:00

Place	Ward Warehouse stage area, under Spaghetti Factory, next to Na Mea Hawai`i
Scheduled Time	6-7 Thursdays
Actual Start/End Time	Start time-6:07, End time-7:14
Instructor	Germaine Kaleolani Haili (female) germaine@nativebookshawaii.com 596-8885
Cost	FREE
# of Students	10
Procedure	Just show up at the stage area
Language Spoken	Hawaiian & English
Student Attire	25% of the students wore hula skirts. Although it is custom to go bare feet while dancing hula, some dancers wore black socks. This is because after dancing, you will have black dirt caked onto your feet.
Student Type	60 % Asian visitors,20 % mainland visitors, 20 % local Many students were returning students and had prior knowledge of basic steps. 9 female, 1 male
Break Time	N/A
Type of Hula	`Auana
Steps	Review of all basic steps of beginner class and addition of: wawae ki`i, huli `ami
Fingers	Alluded in a light but serious manner that the space between your fingers should be no thicker than a dime
Hands	Steps for `auana song taught first, then hands added
Facial Expression	N/A, the focus is on knowing what the song means and then your facial expression naturally reflecting this understanding.
Error Correction	Germaine continues on the philosophy about being “serious” about hula. She corrects students’ errors with an increased smile and lighter manner than the previous class.
Instruments Used to Lead Class	`ipu with hula basics CD of `auana songs
Pace	1^st 20 minutes of class: review of basic steps 2^nd 40 minutes of class: students reviewed a previously learned song. Instructor then taught 3 verses of Ku`u Hoa.
Recommended for	Novice or Advanced students who want to learn Hawaiian language and the culture and history of hula.
Materials/Services Offered	1 handout of Ku`u Hoa song.
Interesting Side Notes	The class ends in a cheer: reciting of the Hawaiian vowels and the name of the hula school.
Date Observed	3/2/07

Mo`ili`ili Community Center Hula

2007-02-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

Place	Mo`ili`ili Community Center, Rm. 105
Scheduled Time	Saturdays 9:15-11:15 a.m.
Actual Start/End Time	9:28-11:00 a.m.
Instructor	Alice Chock (female) 808-955-1555
Cost	$4 walk-ins
# of Students	11
Procedure	Pay instructor at the front of class
Language Spoken	English Explanation of Hawaiian words in song on-going while dancing
Student Attire	Up to you, the teacher emphasizes the importance of being comfortable. One student wore jeans, another wore slacks and comfortable shoes.
Student Type	50% senior citizens, 50% Asian visitors 50% of the class goes there regularly All female
Break Time	1x, 10:15-10:32, unofficial break times while teacher talks story with students between some songs
Type of Hula	Hapa Haole, `Auana
Steps	Students were expected to follow other students: hula (kaholo), 4 count `ami and reverse, hela, ka`o, lele, lele `uwehe, around the island (`ami ponui), kawelu. Basics lasted about 5 minutes, each at the beginning and end of class.
Fingers	N/A
Hands	Taught hands and feet together with voice prompts (Teacher had a sprained ankle)
Facial Expression	N/A
Error Correction	2x
Instruments Used to Lead Class	Teacher hits the wooden portion of the `ukulele instead of `ipu for basic steps, `ukulele and beautiful falsetto voice for songs.
Pace	Went over 5 “review” songs quickly and 1 `auana song step-by-step
Recommended for	Entertainment and health purposes Teacher stresses that this class if “for fun” and not competitions like halaus (hula schools)
Materials Offered	None. Teacher will try to remember to bring song sheets next week.
Interesting Side Notes	Teacher stated that she used to rotate lines and give mini tests where 2 dancers dance for the whole class, but that since class is for fun now, the lines won’t rotate and regularly attending students can stay in the front row. Teacher and regularly attending students are very friendly and say “hi” to new students! :) Teacher also jokes a lot and is very relaxed.
Date Observed	2/17/07

Waikiki Shopping Plaza Tahitian

2007-02-02T21:11:00.000-08:00

Place	Waikiki Shopping Plaza, 3^rd Floor to the far right of the elevator behind all the kiosks.
Scheduled Time	12/26/07 12:00-13:00 8/20/07 Temporarily cancelled. Call 808-923-1191 to inquire about advanced hula classes from 12:00-1:00 p.m. daily. Daily 12:00-Scheduled end time unknown
Actual Start/End Time	11:50-12:27 p.m.
Instructor	Name not specified, attractive woman in her 20’s wearing a thigh length orange hula print dress with a pareau over it. One of the students mentioned that there are 4 different instructors and that today’s instructor was the only one that speaks Japanese
Cost	FREE
# of Students	13
Procedure	None
Language Spoken	Japanese, basic English (good for you, any questions, one more time)
Student Attire	Up to you, one woman wore a pareau
Student Type	11 Asian visitors, 1 mainland visitor Many students were either 1^st time dancers or returning to learn the rest of the song All female
Break Time	None, but class seemed to end a little early because some students were too tired
Type of Dance	Tahitian
Hip	6 hip movements learned: including tiare, box, double bump, figure 8. Prior to hip movements, instructor went over feet placement in a “V” shape
Fingers	N/A
Hands	Taught hip movements for 20 minutes then added hands
Facial Expression	Instructor smiled continuously
Error Correction	N/A
Instruments Used to Lead Class	CD of Tahitian beats
Pace	Went over the entire song 2x
Recommended for	Entertainment purposes Intermediate students or for the first time learner who just wants to experience Tahitian and is not worried about not memorizing the whole song
Materials Offered	N/A
Interesting Side Notes	Rotated lines after every new segment learned
Date Observed	2/2/07

Waikiki Shopping Plaza Hula

2007-02-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

Place	Waikiki Shopping Plaza, 3^rd Floor to the far right of the elevator behind all the kiosks
Scheduled Time	12/26/07 10:00-11:00 8/20/07 Temporarily cancelled. Call 808-923-1191 to inquire about advanced hula classes from 12:00-1:00 p.m. daily. Daily: Start time, 9:00-End time not specified
Actual Start/End Time	Before 8:50-10:30 a.m.
Instructor	Name not specified, attractive woman in her 20’s wearing a thigh length orange hula print dress One of the students mentioned that there are 4 different instructors and that today’s instructor was the only one that speaks Japanese. Mainland visitors able to follow along easily due to her clear movements.
Cost	FREE
# of Students	77
Procedure	None
Language Spoken	Japanese, basic English (“good for you, any questions, one more time”)
Student Attire	Up to you, 3 women wore hula skirts
Student Type	97% Asian visitors, 3% mainland visitors Many students were either 1^st time dancers or returning to learn the rest of the song All female
Break Time	None
Type of Hula	Hapa Haole: Blue Hawai`i
Steps	kaholo, hela, `uwehe, lele `uwehe. Went over basic steps first with no music, then with Keali`i Reichel CD.
Fingers	Fingers together and very graceful
Hands	Went over hands then added steps
Facial Expression	Instructor smiled continuously
Error Correction	1x after watching students dance the entire song, instructor reviewed a segment
Instruments Used to Lead Class	CD’s
Pace	Went over the entire song 6x: 4x copying instructor, 2x with instructor just watching and helping with forgotten hand motions
Recommended for	Entertainment purposes Beginner students
Materials Offered	N/A
Interesting Side Notes	Asian students asked for clarification 2x during the lesson which suggests they were comfortable Picture taking with students in front of sunset background after 10:30 end time
Date Observed	2/2/07

Waikiki Community Center Hula: Ali`i Manu

2007-02-01T16:21:00.001-08:00

Place	Waikiki Community Center Rm. 205E, Enter to the right of the main entrance, go up the stairs above the school
Scheduled Time	9:15-10:45 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays
Actual Start/End Time	Start time wasn’t observed, End time-10:30
Instructor	Ali`i Manu (male) alohaalohaaloha5@aol
Cost	Call 808-923-1802 to inquire about fees. Currently increased to, $3 members, $7 non-members. (8/20/07) $2 members $7 non-members See attached membership form specifically provided for foreign visitors for ease of personal translation prior to registering Membership fee: $30 for annual & $20 for 6 months membership
# of Students	19
Procedure	Sign in and pay the woman named, “Abe-san”
Language Spoken	Pidgin English Hawaiian language (ka/na pua, ke kai, ka moana, ka/na pali, ka/na hoku, ka makani, makani `olu, haina/haina pauloa, ka lei, ke aloha) taught with corresponding hand motions while sitting. Basic Japanese words spoken after each new Hawaiian word (ka/na pua=hana, ke kai=umi, ka pali=yama, ka/na hoku =hoshi, ka makani = kaze) Basic Japanese also spoken periodically to clarify lesson (suwatekudasai, mae, ushiro) Kanji/katakana written on the board next to Hawaiian vocab
Student Attire	Wear a hula skirt. If you wear pants, you will be asked to move to the back of the class.
Student Type	96% Asian visitors, 6% mainland visitors or local, 1% European Most students seemed to have had some prior knowledge of basic steps 100% female
Break Time	Once: 10:00-10:12 During the break, he called new students to the front of class, gave everyone a napkin for their sweat, handed out information in Japanese, asked where everyone was from and passed out a sign-up for a workshop in Japan for 5,000 yen for up to 50 students. Ali`i Manu also discussed his qualifications: 37 years teaching, many halaus in Japan and mainland, and belief in no competitions
Type of Hula	`Auana
Steps	Hela, kaholo, lele `uwehe, `uwehe
Fingers	Showed how to keep the hand(s) not being used for motions in a fist on hip(s) so that it is “pretty” from the back of the dancer
Hands	Basics: Taught hand motions for Hawaiian language then steps Songs: Went over simultaneously with footwork
Facial Expression	Reminded students 5x to smile and demonstrated repeatedly
Error Correction	9x Ali`i Manu modeled how to sit and stand properly, how to keep your unused hand(s) in a fist on hips(s), how to do the motion “aloha” properly so that you don’t look like a turtle. He also stopped class to fix the student lines twice.
Instruments Used to Lead Class	`ipu with chanting CD with chanting and singing
Pace	WARM UP: 20 minutes sitting down with `ipu and hand motions to Hawaiian language 25 minutes with previously learned hand motions and foot steps following Ali`i` Manu to chanting on CD BREAK Follow along as Ali`i Manu dances 2 songs on CD Follow along as Ali`i Manu dances 2 sample songs from the CD he made
Recommended for	Advanced students who have knowledge of hula, particularly of basic steps and are comfortable just watching and following along.
Materials/Services Offered	Hand out in Japanese Workshop in Tokyo for 5,000 yen Halau Classes: Friday at 7:00, Saturday at 9:30 $20/lesson for those who want to learn more, 205 E (same room)
Interesting Side Notes	Begins and ends class with prayer You are asked to please leave your shoes outside
Date Observed	2/1/07

Waikiki Community Center Hula: Nalani Keali

2007-01-29T23:51:00.000-08:00

Place	Waikiki Community Center Auditorium, Enter Paokalani lot, it’s on your left hand side, past the front desk
Scheduled Time	9:00-10:30 a.m. Mondays for beginners 12:00-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays *new class for advanced students
Actual Start/End Time	9:12-10:28
Instructor	Nalani Keali (male)
Cost	Call 808-923-1802 to inquire about fees. Advanced class $7 members, $14 non-members. (8/20/07) Beginner class: $3 members, $7 non-members See attached membership form specifically provided for foreign visitors for ease of personal translation prior to registering Membership fee: $30 for annual & $20 for 6 months membership
# of Students	72 +
Procedure	Sign in and pay woman at the front of the auditorium
Language Spoken	Pidgin English Hawaiian language (alphabet and numbers) taught in chorus while doing basic steps to `ipu Japanese words spoken 3x to clarify for Japanese students (kagami=mirror image, shita=paddle down)
Student Attire	Most women wore hula skirts
Student Type	90% Asian visitors, 7% mainland visitors, 3% seemed local Most students seemed to have had some prior knowledge of basic steps 1 male student, the rest female
Break Time	Twice: 9:30-9:42 after basic steps with `ipu and `ukulele 10:05-10:12 after learning 2 verses of song
Type of Hula	`Auana
Steps	Hela, `uwehe, lele `uwehe, `ami, ka`o, kalakaua, kawelu (Nalani refers to it as “singles”), kaholo ki`i
Fingers	N/A
Hands	Taught 1^st then steps added
Facial Expression	Reminded students 3x to smile and demonstrated repeatedly
Error Correction	2x Nalani demonstrated the proper posture and head direction for a horse motion he taught earlier in a fun and playful manner
Instruments Used to Lead Class	`ipu with chanting `ukulele and singing
Pace	Went over 2 verses of the song
Recommended for	Intermediate students who have some knowledge of hula, particularly of basic steps.
Materials Offered	Copy of song words in Hawaiian with English translation @ 10 cents per copy
Interesting Side Notes	Hela step was done at a 45 degree angle The song taught included the kaholo and kalakaua step and some fancy footwork i.e. “cheating”, which is characteristic of more advanced classes. Paddling hand motions were also a little challenging for the total beginner. Nalani’s chanting and singing voice is rich and resonant. He also smiles and jokes periodically, making the students laugh
Date Observed	1/29/07

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center Hula

2007-01-29T23:48:00.000-08:00

Place	Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center 2nd floor, Building B
Scheduled Time	4:15-5:15 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays
Actual Start/End Time	4:20-5:15
Instructor	Pua (female) 808-922-0588
Cost	FREE
# of Students	40 to 60
Procedure	Sign waiver on the podium next to elevator
Language Spoken	English Explanation of Hawaiian words in song and background of the song writer was given
Student Attire	Up to you, a few girls wore hula skirts
Student Type	75% Asian visitors, 25% mainland visitors Many students were either 1^st time dancers or returning to learn the rest of the song All female
Break Time	None
Type of Hula	`Auana
Steps	Kaholo, not taught in detail Students were expected to just follow along, however Pua stated this was a continuation of Tuesday’s hula class
Fingers	N/A
Hands	Taught 1^st then kaholo step added
Facial Expression	N/A
Error Correction	1x Pua saw a student performing incorrect hand motions for the kaholo (vamp). She demonstrated the wrong movement in jest, then patiently reviewed the correct movement for the whole class
Instruments Used to Lead Class	CD
Pace	Went over 3 verses of the song
Recommended for	Entertainment purposes Beginner students, for the first time learner who just wants to experience hula
Materials Offered	$15 CD, proceeds benefit charity
Interesting Side Notes	Due to large turnout and limited space near the escalator, Pua had the lines rotate periodically (Front line went to the back of the area)
Date Observed	1/25/07