CLASS SPOTLIGHT HAWAIIAN HULA
Hawaiian hula dancing is deeply embedded within Hawaiian culture, and its roots can be traced back to ancient times. Hula entails more than just learning dance movements as students also learn about nature and the Spirit of Aloha. Many know “aloha” as a common Hawaiian greeting, but in Hawaii, aloha means more than just hello. It’s a sort of moral code that embodies a sense of good character through kindness, grace and compassion. In the Spirit of Aloha, the word aloha is often used as an acronym: Akahai — Kindness Lokahi — Unity or Harmony ‘Olu‘olu — Agreeable or Pleasant Ha‘aha‘a — Humility or Modesty Ahonui — Patience and Perseverance Yokota’s hula instructor, Midori Sudo, intentionally teaches the Hawaiian traditions that are so fundamental to hula dancing. While learning the specific hula dance movements, participants also discover each dance move’s Hawaiian name and the part of nature it embodies. One dance movement might symbolize the sun while another symbolizes a shell. Students then incorporate the movements into a choreographed dance as they move in time to traditional musical instruments like the ipu (a type of gourd instrument) and ukulele both played by Sudo herself. Other dances might be performed to classic Hawaiian songs or even well-known songs like “How Far I’ll Go” from the hit Disney movie Moana. Interested in learning hula? Midori Sudo teaches a kids class at the Natatorium and two adult classes at the Taiyo Community Center. For the class schedule, see pages 25 and 26.
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HORIZONS OCTOBER 2020
