Place | Ward Warehouse stage area, under Spaghetti Factory, next to Na Mea |
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 |
OTHER HULA LESSONS
Friday, March 02, 2007
Ward Warehouse Beginner Hula
Ward Warehouse Intermediate Hula
Place | Ward Warehouse stage area, under Spaghetti Factory, next to Na Mea |
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` |
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 | |
Scheduled Time | 12/26/07 12:00-13:00 8/20/07 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 | |
Scheduled Time | 12/26/07 10:00-11:00 8/20/07 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 |
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 |
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 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)
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 |