Seattle Hawaiian Dancers and Music
Seattle Hawaiian dance groups follow a long tradition of Hawaiian music and dance, developed in the Hawaiian islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. No one knows the exact origin of the hula, but Hawaiians agree that the first hula was performed by a god or goddess, which makes the dance a sacred ritual. In the beginning Hawaii had no written language, and the hula was a tool for remembering history through its dramatization of traditional stories through dance. Every movement in hula has a specific meaning, and every expression of the dancer's hands has great significance. The movements of a dancer's body might represent certain plants, animals, or even a war. Thus the hula was used to tell stories through music and dance.
Seattle Hawaiian dancers come in all shapes and sizes. While we tend to think of Hawaiian dancers as beautiful young girls, the reality is that the halau (hula school) is open to dancers of every age, male and female, who are interested in learning and preserving the Hawaiian traditions. In Seattle most dancers are young and female, but some troupes have male dancers and all include dancers of all ages. Some Hawaiian groups work with recorded music which they bring with them while others also work with live musicians. Seattle Hawaiian music groups usually include guitar and ukulele; some add acoustic bass and percussion.
Most Seattle Polynesian dance groups specialize in the hula but some add Samoan, Maori and Tahitian dance to their repertoire.
Here are a few of the groups we work with:
Seattle Hawaiian dance groups follow a long tradition of Hawaiian music and dance, developed in the Hawaiian islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. No one knows the exact origin of the hula, but Hawaiians agree that the first hula was performed by a god or goddess, which makes the dance a sacred ritual. In the beginning Hawaii had no written language, and the hula was a tool for remembering history through its dramatization of traditional stories through dance. Every movement in hula has a specific meaning, and every expression of the dancer's hands has great significance. The movements of a dancer's body might represent certain plants, animals, or even a war. Thus the hula was used to tell stories through music and dance.
Seattle Hawaiian dancers come in all shapes and sizes. While we tend to think of Hawaiian dancers as beautiful young girls, the reality is that the halau (hula school) is open to dancers of every age, male and female, who are interested in learning and preserving the Hawaiian traditions. In Seattle most dancers are young and female, but some troupes have male dancers and all include dancers of all ages. Some Hawaiian groups work with recorded music which they bring with them while others also work with live musicians. Seattle Hawaiian music groups usually include guitar and ukulele; some add acoustic bass and percussion.
Most Seattle Polynesian dance groups specialize in the hula but some add Samoan, Maori and Tahitian dance to their repertoire.
Here are a few of the groups we work with:
Hokulani Polynesian Dancers
|
Since 2000 the Hokulani Polynesian dancers have been performing hula (our specialty) as well as Samoan, Tongan, Maori and Tahitian dances in the Pacific Northwest as well as Idaho and California. We have both female and male dancerss of various ages and a variety of costumes (12 different hula costumes alone!)
|
Kaulele
|
Kaulele, a band that plays traditional Hawaiian music, began in 2002 with three musicians who together have played Hawaiian music for over 75 years. Tiko Kaeo (ukulele, guitar and vocals), Bernie Simeona (bass and vocals) and Elias Kauhane all hail from the islands and play all your favorite Hawaiian music with flair and authority. They've played over 150 engagements in the last five years for corporations, weddings, and other private events. They work by themselves and also can accompany dancers.
|
Kahala Dancers
|
The Kahala Dancers, under the direction of Karen Flickner, began to entertain Northwest audiences in 1990. Karen studied with many Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian teachers and runs schools in Mt. Vernon and Bellingham. The dancers (all female) focus on Hawaiian dance but also perform some Maori, Samoan and Tahitian dances. They bring CD's (and a sound system) for their background music).
|
Na Leo O'Hawaii
|
Na Leo O'Hawaii specializes in music and dance of Hawaii. The groups includes up to six dancers and four musicians playing and dancing to Hawaiian hula music performed by its own band or on CD. Since 1988 Na Leo O'Hawaii has been featured at NW Folklife Festival, the University of Washington, and numerous private events.
|
Rainbow of Hawaii Dancers
The Rainbow of Hawaii dancers have been performing in Seattle, Washington state, and Hawaii for 30 years. They perform an average of 100 performances a year and recently returned from Kauai and Oahu, where they were featured at the World Hula Conference. Cultural festivals, fairs, retirement communities, casinos, corporate events-all are venues for Rainbow of Hawaii. They can provide anywhere from two to a dozen dancers.with live or recorded music.
Napua and Friends
Napua and Friends brings the music and atmosphere of the Hawaiian Islands to you. Featuring traditional Hawaiian music and more contemporary fare, Napua and her husband Bill perform a tightly knit show featuring soft gentle music and more upbeat songs, some down home luau fun, and engaging stories.
Slack key guitarist and vocalist Kermet
Kermet is a guitarist and singer specializing in Hawaiian music. He was born and raised on the island of Oahu but has made Seattle his home since 1985. He plays in standard tuning as well as Kiho'alu, the Slack Key style in which various tunings are used to create that unmistakeable Hawaiian sound. As part of a trio called Kupono or as a solo act, Kermet plays songs from traditional (some are 100 years old) to Hapa Haole to contemporary.