Saturday, August 2, 2014

Sacred Hula, the Soul of Hawaii


Aloha Mai 
 I come with love.

Hula is a highly ritualized Hawaiian dance expressing praise and worship to the Aloha spirit of Hawaii. The ancient Hawaiian Hula is a way of life linking humanity to spirit. It teaches about nature, respect and all that is sacred. 

Hula is referred to as the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.

Many Kumu Hulas (Hula teachers) and Haumanas (students) dedicate their life to the art of Hula. Purification, rituals, and ceremonies have always been a prelude to this sacred dance which expresses love and humbleness. The beautiful movements tell stories about the wonders of nature, the creation of the world and much more.
Chants give life to Hula. Chants possess great Mana (spiritual energy) through the power of words.

Ke Ao Nani 
(The Beautiful World) 

I luna la i luna
Na manu o ka lewa

I lalo la i lalo
Na pua o ka honua

I uka la i uka
Na ulu la`au

I kai la i kai
Na i`a o ka moana

Ha`ina mai ka puana
A he nani ke ao nei

He inoa no kamali`i
______

Up above, above
Birds of the heavens

Below, below
Flowers of the earth

In the mountains, mountains
The forests

In the sea, the sea
Fishes of the ocean

Tell the refrain
Of the beautiful world

In the name of children

(Nona Beamer Collection)


Dancers often accompany themselves using a variety of traditional Hawaiian instruments which add the thrill of percussive sound to the Hula.
Vibrant colored feather gourds, called Ulu'uli, enhance the excitement of the dance.

Uli'uli


The Pu`ili dancing sticks are split bamboo rattles which intensify the rhythm of the hula.

Pu'ili

Together, the chant, the dance, and the instruments contain a magic that fills both, dancers and audience, with the spirit of Aloha.

The spiritual power of this beautiful dance inspired the creation of the Menehune twins 
Uli'uli and Pu'ili.
Hula dancers follow strict traditions when gathering the plants and materials for their costumes and instruments. Uliuli’s and Pili’s miniature costumes and accessories follow these traditions as closely as possible. A lot of love and energy went into their creation.

Eventually Uli'uli and Pu'ili became alive with the magic of Hula.


Uli'uli and Pu'ili
(Feather Gourd & Dancing Stick) 
Birth Date: ʻAukake 1, 2014 (08/01/14)

Aloha Mai 
I come with love.

Uli'uli and Pu'ili dance the ancient Hawaiian Kahiko Hula in unity and harmony.
The beautiful movements of their hands and bodies tell stories about the wonders of nature, the creation of the world and the Menehune Ohana (family). Uli'uli’s traditional feather gourds add sound and excitement to their dance. Pu`ili dancing sticks enhance the rhythm of their dance.

Uli'uli’s and Pu'ili’s Hula honors the miracle of creation.
Join them in their celebration of life’s joys and abundance.

Uli'uli and Pu'ili are Menehune Twins. Tutu (grandmother) is their Kumu Hula (Hula Teacher). She taught them the powerful movements of the Kahiko Hula.
Uli'uli is named after the Hawaiian Uli'uli (feather gourd). Tutu and Uli'uli made the feather gourds out of wood and bright red and yellow feathers. Tutu and Pu'ili carved his dancing sticks out of bamboo. Tutu blessed everything with Hawaiian salt and special prayers. The gourds and dancing sticks are sacred now. They were created for Uli'uli and Pu'ili and only they are allowed to touch them.
Tutu also hand crafted the traditional Ti leaf skirt and Malu (loincloth) for her Mo’opunas (grandchildren). In Hawaii Ti Leafs are used for protection and purification.
Tutu sewed a red top for Uli'uili and crocheted matching red panties.
She wove a yellow feather cape for Pu'ili and green feather Hakus (head leis), wrist and ankle leis for both of the twins. In Hawaii the Hulu (feather) represents spiritual strength, unity and love. It is believed to link to the divine.
All these precious things were Tutu’s gifts of Aloha (Love) to her Mo’opunas.


Uli'uli and Pu'ili are about 3.5” tall fitting in the palm of your hand. 


The bodies are made out of stretch cotton. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face. Uli'uli and Pu'ili have tiny little hands and feet, ears, buttocks, and belly buttons.
All accessories were individually handcrafted.

Uli'uli and Pu'ili are one of a kind display dolls handcrafted by Hawaiian Dolls. They come with their story and a certificate of authenticity.



Uli'uli's and Pu'ili's Hula teaches about all that is sacred.