PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Created by the Polynesians in Hawaii, hula is a unique movement that is danced by either a song or chant[1] . In the beginning, chants and voices were used as the instruments and the hula would provide the lyrics. In modern times, hula is now accompanied with guitars or ukuleles. To get the full experience, you should try to find a hula class near you, but you can get started learning hula on your own with a few basic steps.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Kāholo, Stepping Side to Side

PDF download Download Article
  1. [2] Keep a looseness in your hips and feet.
    • If it helps, sway your hips from side to side.
  2. [3] Follow with the left foot on each step. Then move two steps to the left, following with the right foot on each step.
    • When you step the first foot, lead with your hip. When the next foot comes to follow it, let that hip sink. This creates a rocking motion with your hips every time you move.
    Advertisement
  3. Traditionally, you will put up the arm that corresponds with the leading foot. The arm will come straight out to the side, at shoulder height. The other hand will be pointing toward the leading hand at the center of your chest, with your elbow at shoulder height.
    • When you switch your leading foot, you will switch the position of your arms so that the extended arm corresponds with the leading foot.
  4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Ka’o, Swaying Side to Side

PDF download Download Article
  1. [4] Don’t squat, but keep a significant bend in your knees. Keep your hips very loose.
    • You should be bending enough for a noticeable change in your height, but not so much that you are using a lot of thigh strength to keep yourself in position.
  2. [5] Straighten your right leg, bringing your right hip up. Relax your left hip down. Then repeat on the other side.
    • Your head should be completely level. It may move side to side, but never up and down. Concentrate all of your movement on the shifting weight in your legs, and the swaying of your hips.
    • Once you are ready, lift your feet every time the weight shifts off of them.
  3. Traditionally, the position for the kao step is to keep both of your hands at chest height, palms towards the ground and fingertips facing each other.
    • Keep your elbows at shoulder height, don’t let them droop!
  4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

`Ami, Rotating the Hips

PDF download Download Article
  1. Lift your tailbone, so that your butt is elevated, but try not to push your belly forward. [6]
    • Try to imagine your hips as separate from your torso. They should be a little further back and higher than normal, but your torso and chest should not tilt too much to accommodate them.
  2. This is like the Kao step, except that instead of shifting back to left immediately, you will bring your weight to center, and then shift your weight to the left. Do this for four counts. Then, repeat in the other direction, with your first weight shift going from center to left.
    • Imagine making circles with your butt. The rest of your body will stay static, but your butt and hips will move in circles going clockwise for four counts, then counter clockwise for four counts.
  3. The hand that corresponds with the leading hip should be in the middle of your chest, with the palm pointed toward the floor. Your elbow should be bent and at shoulder height, going straight to the side. The other hand should be on the other hip.
    • When your leading hip switches, switch the arm positioning.
  4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using Your Hands

PDF download Download Article
  1. Gently stretch both of your arms diagonally to the right, with your hands at waist level. Your palms should be facing the ground, and your fingertips should be elevated. As you rotate your hands so that your palms face up, bring your fingertips together to create a “blossom”. Do this for two counts, and then repeat on the left side.
    • This motion usually accompanies the kaholo or kao.
  2. [7] Bring your right arm to the side, so that your hand is slightly above your head. Lean back to the left and look slightly upward at your hand. The left hand should be near your face, about five inches away from your right hand. Gently move your fingers as you bring your hands down to your waist. Repeat on the other side.
    • This motion will accompany a swaying motion, or the kaholo step.
  3. [8] With your elbows bent at your waist, start with your right hand up and to the side, and your left hand at your chest. Move both of your hands up and down twice, in a fluid, wavelike motion. Repeat on the other side.
    • A similar waving motion represents the ocean. With your arms in front of you, act as though you are picking flowers out of water, alternating picking motions between right and left hands. This creates the illusion of many waves.
  4. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Putting It All Together

PDF download Download Article
  1. There are videos on youtube of basic dances.[9] Once you have mastered the individual steps, it will be easy to follow along to videos, and better understand what dancers are doing with their hips.
    • These videos may incorporate more arm motions than the ones outlined here: hula is a storytelling dance, so there are many hand and arm motions.However, the fluid and motions that are outlined above will give you a feel of the rhythm of hula hand motions. The placement of the hands is often the same as well.
  2. Using the motions in this article, create your own dance.
    • Start with the swaying motions, and then incorporate arm motions.
    • Move into kaholo, while continuing to use arm motions.
    • Turn in a circle, using the ka’o or ami.
    • Try using the kaholo to move further to the side, or diagonally toward the audience.
  3. If you practice these motions, you should be able to move fluidly from one to the other. They are pretty simple. Choose a song you like, and go through the motions as it pleases you.
    • Improvisation means anything goes, so use your hands and tell your own story. Find more as many hand motions as possible, using youtube to get the motions right. [10]
  4. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Aren't there hand motions for "fish," "rain," "house," "child" etc.?
    Sonia
    Sonia
    Community Answer
    Yes. In ancient Hawaii, hula and its chants played an important role in keeping history, genealogy, mythology and culture alive. With each movement – a hand gesture, step of foot, swaying of hips – a story would unfold.
  • Question
    Do I just pick one method, or use all of them? Also, for the "Using your hands" method, do I do all of the steps suggested?
    Jnerdahl
    Jnerdahl
    Community Answer
    You can choose whichever method you like or think is the easiest. And when using your hands, try and do everything the article says, and if you think it's too complicated, you can always search for videos on YouTube so you can see it in action.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

  • Smile and look inviting.
  • Do not look directly at the audience. Your eyes should follow your fingertips and draw your onlookers to the story being told by your hands.
  • If you are a Disney fan, watch Lilo and Stitch. Lilo (a girl) teaches Stitch (a creature from another planet) how to dance hula and play the ukulele. In the ending song/movie credits, both are seen dancing hula in the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Show More Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Bare feet (optional, but recommended to get the whole feel)
  • Mat (optional)
  • Skirt (optional)
  • Ipu (gourd used for beating and creating rhythm) (optional)

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 131,471 times.
35 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 23
Updated: January 31, 2023
Views: 131,471
Categories: Hawaii Travel
Article SummaryX

To dance the hula, bend your knees slightly and take 2 steps to the right, followed by 2 steps to the left so you're swaying back and forth. Additionally, raise your arm that's on the same side as the foot you're stepping with, while brining the other hand to your chest. You can also try stretching your arms diagonally to the right so that your palms are at waist level. Then, rotate them and bring your fingertips together to create a “blossom.” To learn how to rotate your hips when you dance hula, read on!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 131,471 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Theodosia Samel

    Theodosia Samel

    Mar 12, 2018

    "I'm trying to reconnect to my roots, and I found out I'm 26% Hawaiian! I'm learning how to do..." more
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Advertisement