Hula, the heart beat of the Hawaiian people . . .

Aloha Pō'alima iā kākou! Happy Aloha Friday. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a fabulous weekend. Today’s Hawaiian word is hula, which literally translates as the art of hula, to dance hula or to dance. As hula people, we know that hula is more than just dancing. It is a deeply spiritual experience that requires discipline, perseverance and commitment. Hula is a way of life. As hula dancers we eat, sleep and breathe hula. When we hear mele (song or dance) our hands automatically begin to choreograph motions of interpretation and our feet naturally begin to move to and fro. If it’s a mele we are familiar with, without hesitation we start to dance and sing it. Hula is not merely a performance, but instead it is an interpretation of a culture. Within the hula we find protocol, customs, traditions, legends, philosophy, spirituality, language all wrapped up into this art form. Kalākaua once said, “the hula is the language of the heart and therefore the heart beat of the Hawaiian people”. How grateful we are that this ali'i saw the value of the hula and brought it back to the forefront of our culture during his reign. Tonight and tomorrow night, we’ll get our fill of hula as the 2009 Keiki Hula Competition is televised on KITV 4. Join me as we watch our keiki continue to perpetuate the art of hula. Kuhi nō ka lima, hele nō ka maka. Where the hands go, the eyes follow. Aloha nō, a hui hou. CLICK HERE to listen to and download the Morning Mana'o Podcast.