Though they say, "Our hands tell the story in our Hula dancing, our dancers also use various hula implements to express their movements in their songs. Besides the use of beautiful dancing costumes and hula implements, our dancers are adorned with lovely flower leis and hair accessories. Because of being in El Paso, Texas, we do not have easy access to the beautiful Polynesian flowers you would normally find in the Polynesian islands, we have no alternative but to use silk flowers, which are just as beautiful.
The Hawaiian Flag
Uli Uli The uli'uli is a small gourd (la'amia) containing a li'ipoe seeds and fitted with a handle which ends in a flat round top fringe of cock feathers. Hula dancers traditionally hold one 'uli'uli in the right hand and shakes it to produce a rattling sound. The left hand is free to carry out the graceful interpretive motions of the hula. But presently, dancers use one 'uli'uli in each hand. The feathers come in a variety of colors. Pictured are the traditional Hawaiian colors
Pu'ili - Split Bamboo Rattle
The pu'ili is a split bamboo rattle (pu - to sound, 'ili - bark or skin.) The pu'ili is a piece of bamboo about 20 inches long and 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Each piece of bamboo is spit into narrow strips or strands except for a section of about five inches at one end which serves as a handle. The bamboo is cut away to leave spaces between the strands. The dancer or player produces a rustling sound when she or he taps the pu'ili against their shoulders, arms, floor mat or another pu'ili
Ipu Hula
The ipu hula is a gourd hula drum. This drum-like instrument is sounded by striking it with the fingers and the palm of the right hand and by thumping the bottom against the matted floor or a folded piece of kapa.
Ipu Heke The Ipu Heke (pronounced EE-poo HEH-kay), which was made out of 2 gourds: a larger, longer bottom gourd called the 'Olo (OH-low); and, joined at the neck, a smaller, far shorter gourd called the Heke, which means "top". Visitors to Hawai`i today, upon seeing this drum, often believe it is a single gourd of a variety unique to Hawai`i, until they are shown where the two gourds are joined.
is two gourds fitted together. In Hawai`i, gourd drums were used to accompany chanting during festive as well as spiritual occasions. In ancient Hawai`i, as handed down through the Hawaiian oral tradition. Sizes range from 11" tall to over 26" tall.
Kala'au - Hula Sticks
Ka means to strike, La'au is wood. These are two sticks of hard, resonant wood and are struck together, one upon the other, marking the rhythm of the dance, as part of the accompaniment to the hula. Ka means to strike, la'au is wood.
"Ili'ili - Stone Castanets
These are held two in each hand, clicked between the fingers of each hand, with a staccato rhythm akin to castanets. The pebble dance was originated many centuries ago as a chant, preceding the hula. These stones may be found in wet or dry stream beds and along beaches. Very smooth, bubble-free stones are preferred. Kukui nut oil is used to add shine and darken the pebbles.
Dovetail Shell Leis
Long white strands of small sea shells, an inexpensive substitute for the famed Ni`ihau shell lei.
Kukui Nut Leis, Chokers & Wristlets
Black, polished kukui nuts from the kukui tree.
Silk Flower Leis
Since fresh polynesian flowers are not readily available to us and to shipping from the Islands can be very costly, we wear silk flowers. They are still beautiful when we were them
Maile Lei and Haku
Open-ended lei of maile which is revered by the Hawaiians for its fragrance. Elastic headband of miniature fern, can be doubled up to wear as wristlets or anklets. Maile leaves on a felt backing with velcro fastener.
