About this video

• Video Title: Hana Noʻeau - Hula, Choreography, & Orature
• Channel: Noah (Keola) Ryan
• Speakers: Noah (Keola) Ryan
• Duration: 01:11:28

Overview

This video lecture explores the history, significance, and evolution of Hula, a traditional Hawaiian art form. It discusses Hula's role as a form of historiography and orature, its connection to nature and spirituality, and the impact of external influences such as Christianity, tourism, and American militarization. The lecture also highlights the efforts to preserve and reclaim traditional Hula practices.

Key takeaways

• Hula as Historiography and Orature: Hula is more than just a dance; it's a rich cultural practice integral to Hawaiian society that serves as a method for recording and passing down history and knowledge through oral tradition.
• Connection to Nature and Spirituality: The movements, chants, adornments, and instruments in Hula are all sourced from nature, reflecting a deep connection to the environment. Hula is also steeped in spirituality, with deities like Laka and Hiʻiaka associated with it.
• Impact of External Influences: Christianity, tourism, and the US military significantly altered the perception and practice of Hula. Missionaries viewed it as immoral and an impediment to "civilizing" Hawaiians, leading to periods of persecution. Tourism and militarization led to the sexualization and commercialization of Hula, often referred to as the "hula gal" image.
• Resilience and Reclamation: Despite suppression and misrepresentation, Hula has shown resilience. In the 1970s, there was a movement to reclaim Hula as a means for Native Hawaiians to reconnect with their cultural heritage, resist colonial influences, and empower their identity.
• Traditional Hālau Hula: Formal schools called Hālau Hula were crucial for preserving traditional Hula knowledge through rigorous training and a strict protocol, emphasizing the importance of mastery and repetition.

Negative portrayals of Hula can lead to the marginalization of Hawaiian culture and its people. When Hula is deemed insignificant or reduced to a "silly dance," it diminishes the perceived importance of the culture and the people who practice it. This can lead to their concerns being overlooked and can reinforce a racist power structure where indigenous peoples are viewed as "less than."

Furthermore, cultural appropriation, often stemming from these negative or incomplete portrayals, can be deeply offensive and hurtful. It can lead to the mocking of culture by colonizers and the replacement of native traditions with colonial representations or watered-down versions, making the art form unrecognizable and erasing its original significance. This ultimately impacts the identity and well-being of Hawaiian society.

While the video acknowledges that the tourism industry exploits Hula for profit and often presents a commercialized version that prioritizes what sells over cultural integrity, it doesn't explicitly state that this leads to a boost in the local economy. However, it does discuss how the tourism industry reinforces the "hula gal" image and creates watered-down, simplified performances for visitors, which can lead to Hula being seen as less significant and culturally inaccurate.

The video does not suggest that portraying Hula as a simple, silly dance leads to people enjoying Hawaiian culture more or looking upon Hawaiʻi more favorably. In fact, it argues the opposite: when Hula is devalued in this way, it leads to the marginalization of Hawaiian culture and people, making them seem insignificant. This contributes to a lack of respect and understanding, rather than increased enjoyment or a more favorable view.

Christianity fundamentally changed the practice of Hula primarily through the actions and beliefs of Calvinist missionaries who arrived in 1820. They viewed Hula with "tremendous disdain," demonizing it as the "devil's dance" due to its perceived pagan beliefs, "bare skin," and "gyrating hips."

Their influence led to:

• Persecution: Missionaries actively worked to suppress Hula, urging Hawaiians to stop practicing it.
• Impediment to "Civilizing": They saw Hula as an obstacle to their mission of "civilizing" Hawaiian society and introducing Christianity, as Hula connected people to their past, gods, and traditions.
• Verbal Ban: In 1830, Kahumanu, influenced by Christian teachings, forbade public Hula performances.
• Legal Restrictions: This evolved into legislation, such as the 1851 law requiring licenses for public Hula performances, with significant fines for non-compliance. By 1859, licenses were restricted to Honolulu.

The missionaries' goal was to drive a wedge between Native Hawaiians and their cultural practices like Hula to pave the way for their own religious and cultural system.

In traditional Hawaiian society, Hula served several crucial functions:

• Historiography and Orature: Hula was the primary means by which history, genealogy, and important knowledge were documented, preserved, and passed down through generations in a purely oral tradition.
• Storytelling: Beyond simple narratives, Hula conveyed deep historical accounts and important cultural information.
• Connection to Place: As a cultural practice sourced in nature, Hula grounded people and connected them to their environment and specific locations.
• Spiritual Practice: Hula is deeply connected to Hawaiian deities, particularly Laka, the patron goddess of Hula, and involves spiritual aspects.
• Community Well-being: Hula was integral to the overall well-being and identity of Hawaiian society.
• Expression of Identity: Practicing Hula helped Hawaiians reconnect with their cultural heritage, reinforcing their identity.

Yes, that's correct. The transcript mentions that Hula served as a way to "document and record our past and pass it on to the next generation," functioning as a form of historiography. It also notes that Hula performances "certainly did draw a crowd," implying an entertainment function for spectators, though the primary emphasis is placed on its role in preserving history and culture.

The U.S. military's influence, particularly from 1910 to 1930, fundamentally changed the practice of Hula by contributing to its feminization, sexualization, and objectification.

Here's how:

• Influx of Soldiers: A large-scale military buildup in Hawaiʻi brought a significant number of U.S. soldiers and sailors to the islands.
• Demand for Female Entertainment: These servicemen, when seeking entertainment, primarily desired to see female performers. This created a strong demand for "hula gals."
• Shift in Perception: As a result, Hula became increasingly associated with female performers and was exploited for male gratification. The focus shifted from the traditional, multifaceted practice to something that catered to the desires of the male gaze.
• Objectification: Hula dancers began to be objectified, with performances emphasizing sexuality and appearance rather than the cultural and historical narratives. The transcript notes that Hula became "produced in the public for the pleasure and amusement of men."
• Reinforcement of "Hula Gal" Image: This demand cemented the "hula gal" image, which was a departure from the traditional practice where both men and women participated and the focus was on storytelling and cultural preservation.

King David Laʻamea Kalākaua's nickname was the "Merry Monarch."

He played a significant role in revitalizing Hula by:

• Declaring Hula the National Dance: He officially declared Hula the national dance of the Hawaiian kingdom.
• Featuring Hula at Royal Events: He ensured Hula performances were a prominent part of all royal events.
• Restoring the Hālau Lōlono: He restored this ancient society dedicated to the arts and knowledge systems.
• Commissioning Scholars: He commissioned scholars to record and document ancient chants, preserving them in print for future generations.
• Ending the Ban: His actions effectively brought an end to the legislation and persecution against Hula.

His efforts were instrumental in bringing Hula out of suppression and back into public prominence, celebrating it as a vital part of Hawaiian culture.