Island Rhythms Slides Lesson 3
Island Rhythms
Hula: The Heartbeat of Hawaii
What is Hula?
More Than a Dance
Hula is a complex art form used to preserve history and tell stories of the Hawaiian people.
Hand gestures represent elements of nature.
Chants (Mele) provide the narrative.
Feet maintain the steady rhythm of the land.
Storytelling through Motion
"Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people." — King Kalākaua
Styles of Hula
Hula Kahiko
Ancient / Traditional Hula
Performed to chants (Mele).
Accompanied by percussion (Ipu, Pahu).
Powerful, rhythmic, and physically demanding.
Hula 'Auana
Modern / Contemporary Hula
Influenced by Western melody.
Uses melodic instruments (Ukulele, Guitar).
Flowing, graceful, and expressive.
Musical Theatre Fusion
Common Grounds
Both Hula and Musical Theatre use spectacle, music, and movement to move an audience through a story.
Hula
Grounded in genealogy, nature, and history.
Musicals
Grounded in character arcs and emotional peaks.
Think About It!
How have you seen Hawaii represented on stage or screen?
Moana? Lilo & Stitch?
Appreciation vs. Appropriation
Appreciation
Learning the history behind the movements.
Working with native practitioners.
Respecting sacred traditions.
Appropriation
Using Hula as a "costume" without meaning.
Mashing styles together for "look" only.
Ignoring the cultural roots.
The Rhythm Challenge
In your groups, create a 4-count movement that tells a story of water or wind.
"Remember: Hands lead the story, feet find the beat."
Island Rhythms Teacher Guide Island Rhythms
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grade 5 | Lesson 3
Hula & Cultural Significance
Learning Objectives
Identify the historical and cultural significance of Hula as a storytelling tool.
Distinguish between Hula Kahiko (ancient) and Hula 'Auana (modern).
Analyze how cultural dance is represented and adapted in musical theatre.
Practice basic hand gestures used to represent natural elements.
Materials Needed
Island Rhythms Slides
Story Moves Worksheet
Audio: Percussion vs. Melodic
Pencils/Markers
Instructional Sequence
1. The Heartbeat (10 mins)
Slides 1-2
Start by asking students how they usually learn history (books, videos, lectures). Explain that for many cultures, including Hawaii, history was kept through oral tradition and movement.
Key Prompt:
"If you couldn't write down your favorite memory, how would you show it using only your hands and the rhythm of your feet?"
2. Kahiko vs. 'Auana (15 mins)
Slide 3
Highlight the sensory differences. Play a clip of traditional drumming vs. an ukulele-led song. Ask students to describe the "mood" of each.
Kahiko Discussion
Focus on strength, chanting, and connection to ancestors.
'Auana Discussion
Focus on grace, storytelling through modern instruments.
3. Musical Theatre Mirror (15 mins)
Slide 4
Discuss how shows like Moana use Hula consultants. Explain that in Musical Theatre, choreography must serve the plot. In Hula, the choreography is the plot.
Critical Thinking Question:
"Why is it important for a Broadway choreographer to hire a native Hawaiian Kumu Hula (Hula teacher) when creating a show about the islands?"
4. Appreciation in Action (10 mins)
Slides 5-6
Guide students through the "Rhythm Challenge". Remind them that they are inspired by the concepts of Hula storytelling, but they are creating their own movements to understand the mechanism of storytelling, not performing a traditional hula without proper training.
Teacher Tips & Differentiation
For Support
Provide a printed 'Vocabulary Bank' of hula gestures (e.g., Mountain, Ocean, Flower) to help students during the Rhythm Challenge.
For Challenge
Ask students to research a specific Kumu Hula (like Sunny Chittenden or Robert Cazimero) and how they preserve their lineage.
Story Moves Worksheet Story Moves
Lesson 3: Hula & Storytelling
Name:
Date:
PART 1
Style Spotlight
Match the characteristic to the correct style of Hula by drawing a line.
Hula Kahiko
Ancient/Traditional
Uses Ukulele & Guitar
Accompanied by Chants (Mele)
Influenced by Western music
Uses Percussion (Ipu/Pahu)
Hula 'Auana
Modern/Contemporary
PART 2
The Language of Hands
In Hula, your hands are the narrators. If you were a choreographer for a musical about the ocean, how would you move your hands to show these elements? Describe or sketch your idea below.
Rising Sun
Crashing Waves
PART 3
My Story Rhythm
Create a 4-beat movement sequence that tells a story of Growth (like a seed turning into a flower). Draw or write the instructions for each beat below.
1
2
3
4
Reflect & Respect
Musical theatre often borrows styles from different cultures. Why is it important to learn the history of Hula before using its movements in a school play or a musical performance?
Story Moves Answer Key Story Moves
Answer Key & Teacher Reference
Grade 5 | Lesson 3
Island Rhythms
PART 1
Style Spotlight Answers
Hula Kahiko
Accompanied by Chants (Mele)
Uses Percussion (Ipu/Pahu)
Hula 'Auana
Uses Ukulele & Guitar
Influenced by Western music
PARTS 2 & 3
Creative Guidance
Hand Gestures (Part 2)
While students are creating their own movements, you can share traditional Hula inspirations for these elements:
Rising Sun: Arms starting at the base and moving in an upward arc to form a circle above the head.Crashing Waves: Hands following a rolling "U" shape, pushing forward with palms to represent the surf.
Story Rhythm Rubric (Part 3)
Look for the following when reviewing student sequences:
Narrative
Does the 4-beat sequence show a clear beginning, middle, and end?
Rhythm
Is each beat distinct and easy to follow?
Effort
Did the student attempt to match movement to meaning?
Reflection Answer Guidance
Strong student responses should mention that Hula is a living history and a sacred practice.
Students should express that using Hula without understanding its history could be disrespectful (appropriation) and that collaborating with native practitioners ensures the culture is honored and represented accurately (appreciation).
