TRADITIONAL WAYS OF KNOWING: Communicating through Hula

Hula is an important Hawaiian tradition. The Olis, or chants, and dance moves are used to tell stories and were first used as ways to communicate with the gods. Check out some of these helpful sources to learn more about the history and importance of hula.

Resources on Hula

• University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa list of resources for academic readings collated by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: Hawaiʻi - Hawaiian Communication: A Bibliography on Hawaiian Folklore, Mythology, Literature, Music, Hula: Hula
• Pacific Islanders in Communication film about hulaʻs role in the past, present, and future of Hawaiʻi's people: Hula: Language of the Heart
• Sarah Watts, Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Pennsylvania State University writes about Hula as a Way of Knowing: A Personal Journey toward Musical and Kinesthetic Understanding
• GoHawaii.com informational page on all things Hula in the Hawaiian Islands
• World Arts West basic guide on hula and instruments: Hawaiian Hula Guide
• Wikipedia article that provides an overview of hula and describes things such as the oli and songs, instruments, training, and history: Hula - Wikipedia