KC3 rough draft

Sorry everyone.....i forgot to post it. Here it is.

Keiki Hula

What was the past is now the present

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Keiki Hula is probably the most popular dance class in the state of Hawaii and is also spread out throughout the world including Paris and Japan. Not many are positive about the origin of Hula, But there are legends that tell of how it was made, and the history will also be unfolded. How it was developed; the history passed down through generations even now. What are required for Hula are 3 things. Songs, Instruments, and Costumes. And what many keiki strive for is the thrill of competition. Because of the ever-increasing epidemic of the ancient art, many; not only Hawaiians, but multi-cultural combinations on citizens all want to participate in Hula.




In 1820, American Missionaries condemned Hula as a vile and heathen dance. Then a Christian Ali’i has banned hula. However, many still practiced it in secret. However, in 1824, during the reign of King Kalakaua who supported the practice of Hula brought it back and allowed free and public dancing. But then, more has occurred. They combined chanting, costumes, and dance movements into an art known as a hula’ kui. And so, it was a new revival of Hula back then and stay’s unchanged now. But back then, Hula was only preformed by men. But in the early 20th century, Women were also allowed to perform in the dance and also Keiki; the aspect of the story. Now the history is kept alive through the children. But that’s only during the 19th century. It’s not how Hula was originally created. In fact, no one knows. But there are a couple of tales like the goddess Laka gave birth to Hula on Molokai, or Hi ‘iaka, who danced to appease her sister Pele.



Ancient Hula used old-fashion instruments like the hard-fashioned gourd, or ipu’ and ipu’ heke, which is a double gourd. Pahu, and Puniu, 'Ili'ili and uli’uli. But now, we use modern instruments like using the guitar, steel guitar, ukulele, bass, and also bringing back history with the ipu’. Costumes. Costumes are what keeps the Keiki traditional looking when they perform. They normally wear pau, which is a long, flowing skirt and a simple shirt normally black. But back then the traditional garb for women is a long wrapped skirt, but were topless. Since they don’t want to showcase children half-nude, they also made the apparel more modern. Also, there is a lot of singing and chanting. For singing, there is normally a lead singer with some back singers for harmonizing. But for chanting is regularly a bunch of people chanting in unison.



The sheer pressure of the competition is what the Keiki mainly thrive for. One of the most well known competitions is the Queen Lili’uokalani Keiki Hula Festival which is normally in July every year. It was solely designed for the honoring of the last reigning monarch of hawaii. Which then was a competition where the keiki of Hawaii could show their achievements in class on the big screen.



The History of Hula has made a big influence on the keiki who learned this dance passed through the generations keeping in mind the three things required for Hula. And holding onto their faith, has them overcoming challenges and then reaching competitions which then they can go for the gold. Keiki Hula is a complicated thing but is a historical thing. And what we can learn from the past, we can grasp in the present.