Kumu Rachel's Instructional Hula Videos

What is the Ka'eke'eke?

The ka'eke'eke is a Hawaiian instrument used to accompany hula and traditional chants. The ka'eke'eke is bamboo tube that's struck against a mat on the ground to create a resonant sound.

Typically the ka'eke'eke is played in pairs, one in each hand, with the bases struck on a hard surface.

The ka'eke'eke is made from a piece of bamboo, often Schizostachyum glaucifolium, and nodes are punched out from the top to allow the full length to resonate.

How to use the Ka'eke'eke (Bamboo Drums)

What is the 'Uli'uli?

The 'uli'uli is a Hawaiian instrument used in hula dancing that consists of a gourd rattle with feathers. It is used as a percussion instrument made from a gourd or calabash fruit shell and feathers that is shaken or struck against the body to produce a sizzling sound.

Hula dancers hold one or two 'uli'uli by the neck and shake or strike them against their bodies or palms. They may also move the rattles in circular patterns in time with the dance.

The 'uli'uli is used in both kahiko and 'auana hula dances to maintain timing and enhance other sounds.

How to use the 'Uli'uli (Feather Gourd)

What is the 'Ili'ili

The 'ili'ili are a set of smooth, flat, lava stones used in the Hawaiian art of playing river rocks as a percussion instrument.

'Ili'ili stones are usually dark in color and are roughly oval in shape. They are about the same size and fit comfortably in the palm of the hand.

The 'ili'ili stones are typically made of dense pāhoehoe lava and are worn smooth by flowing water. They are similar to the type of basalt used in hot stone massage therapy.

How to use the 'Ili'ili (River Rocks)

What is the Ipu or Ipu Heke 'Ole?

Ipu Heke 'Ole is a Hawaiian term referring to a single gourd drum used in traditional hula dancing, literally translating to "a gourd that has no upper part" as "ole" means "no" in Hawaiian.

It is essentially a percussion instrument made from a single gourd cut across the top, creating a distinct sound used to accompany hula movements. The unique shape of the single gourd produces a specific rhythmic beat often used in traditional hula.

How to use an Ipu or Ipu Heke 'Ole (Single Gourd)

What is the Ipu Heke?

The Ipu Heke is a traditional Hawaiian percussion instrument made from two joined gourds, essentially a double gourd drum, often used to provide rhythmic accompaniment to hula dancing and chanting.

The word "heke" means "upper" so "Ipu Heke" translates to "Ipu that has another Ipu on top" — referring to its construction with a smaller gourd placed on top of a larger one.

How to use the Ipu Heke (Double Gourd)

What is the Kala'au?

Kala'au are wooden sticks used in Hawaiian hula performances to create a clicking sound when struck together. Kala'au are idiophones, or concussion sticks, made from hardwood, typically koa wood.

Players hold one end of each stick in their hands and strike the other ends together. The sticks can also be struck on the ground to produce a different sound. Kala'au are typically played by hālau hula, traditional Hawaiian dance schools, at competitions and festivals.

The word "kala'au" is made up of the words "ka" which means "to strike" and "la'au" which means "wood."

How to use the Kala'au (Wooden Sticks)

What is the Pu'ili?

"Pu'ili" refers to a pair of split bamboo sticks used as a traditional percussion instrument in Hawaiian hula dancing, where dancers strike them together or against their bodies to create a rhythmic sound. Essentially, it's a "split bamboo rattle" used to accompany the dance movements.

Made from split bamboo. Used in both traditional (kahiko) and modern (auana) hula styles.

How to use the Pu'ili (Split Bamboo)