Friday, March 02, 2007

Ward Warehouse Beginner Hula

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

1st 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.

2nd 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

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

1st 20 minutes of class: review of basic steps

2nd 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

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Mo`ili`ili Community Center Hula

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

Friday, February 02, 2007

Waikiki Shopping Plaza Tahitian

Place

Waikiki Shopping Plaza, 3rd 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 1st 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

Place

Waikiki Shopping Plaza, 3rd 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 1st 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

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Waikiki Community Center Hula: Ali`i Manu

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

Monday, January 29, 2007

Waikiki Community Center Hula: Nalani Keali

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 1st 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