Top 10 Hawaiian Music and Dance Essentials
-
1. Pahu
Perhaps the most sacred of hula implements, pahu are drums, traditionally made using coconut tree trunk with a covering of sharkskin.
-
2. Ipu
A hollowed-out gourd that, in skilled hands, is used to keep the beat in hula.
-
3. ’Ili’ili
Smooth stones – two are held in each hand and played by hula dancers in a style similar to Spanish castanets.
-
4. Pū’ili
Bamboo sticks, one end of each cut into a fringe so that they produce a rattling sound when played by hula dancers.
-
5. Kāla’au
Pairs of sticks of varying length that are struck against each other during dancing.
-
6. ’Uli’uli
Gourd shakers that are filled with seeds and usually topped with feathers.
-
7. ’Ukulele
A gift from the Portuguese that’s now integral to modern Hawaiian music. “Jumping flea” was how Hawaiians first described the sound.
-
8. Guitar
Whether slack-key, steel, acoustic, or electric, the guitar is essential to Hawaiian music.
-
9. Standing Bass
As in jazz ensembles, the standing bass has found its way into a lot of contemporary Hawaiian music.
-
10. Falsetto Voice
Most easily described as male vocalists singing above their regular range, there is nothing so sweet as the sound of the Hawaiian falsetto.
Advertisement
-
-
Prague guide
Chroni
-
ibrgic's London guide
ibrgic
-
megs55's Prague guide
Laurel
-
The Wanderer's Beijing guide
The Wa
-
-
Ligia's Paris guide
ligian
-
Barcelona guide
Europe
-
A Tour of London (with Food)
Accide
-
Paris guide
rosale
-
Firstimers Las Vegas guide
erinen
-
Munich guide
KPotvi
-
-
International Festival of CanoesThe International Festival of Canoes is Maui's main annual event: a two-week celebration of Hawaii's rich heritage honouring the voyaging canoe which united all of Polynesia. Read more
-
Maui Film FestivalThe annual Maui Film Festival, held at the luxurious Wailea Resort, offers film and digital cinema premières and a handful of filmmakers' panels, while social events and galas help keep up the... Read more
-
Maui Writers' ConferenceThe Maui Writers' Conference, held over Labor Day Weekend, is one of the most important in the world for both the publishing and film industries. Over 50 top agents and editors and 150 presenters... Read more
-
Aloha Classic Windsurfing ChampionshipsHo'okipa Beach Park, near Paia in Maui, hosts top windsurfing action at the Aloha Classic Windsurfing Championships. The consistent trade winds and large seasonal surf make the event one of the most... Read more











symbol, to start adding attractions to your
tailor-made travel guide.
If you were signed in, you could write a review here. Register for a free account, or if you're already a member, sign in.