Kumu Hula: Challenging Journey of a Hula Master - Paperback

Kumu Hula: Challenging Journey of a Hula Master

There is a persistent myth about hula with its grass shirt and hip movements. But hula tells a story or has a message, and the movements of the hands, feet, and other parts of the body only help in telling the story.

What You'll Learn from This Book

This book provides an authentic perspective on hula as both an art form and cultural practice. Through the experiences of professional dancer and teacher Leiola, readers gain insight into the depth and meaning behind Hawaiian dance traditions.

Key topics covered include:

Traditional and modern hula deepens your love for the dance
Through hula, you can learn about the Hawaiian language and culture
Hula meets the needs in other countries
Hula helps with your physical and emotional challenges
Hula meets your spiritual needs

About the Authors

As a professional dancer and teacher, Leiola expresses her love for hula and the Hawaiian culture through her performances and teaching. For her, hula is the essence of Hawaiian culture-she wants to share this love of hula with others.

Minoru, as a connoisseur of hula, is interested in the background of hula and its role in Hawaiian culture and about its current status and prospect for the future.

Understanding Hula's Evolution

Hula is evolving and herein lays its strength. To understand hula properly, you need to know about the past, for it helps to explain the present. In other words, the unchanging parts of the past explain the changing present. Hula is, indeed, the artistic language of Hawai'i, but it is also the artistic language of the world.

This paperback edition from Xulon Press offers dancers, teachers, and cultural enthusiasts a comprehensive look at the challenges and rewards of becoming a hula master while preserving Hawaiian traditions for future generations.