Lawe i ka ma'alea a ku'ono'ono
Acquire skill and make it deep
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About Hula

Hula is a dance form developed by the Polynesians who originally settled in the Hawaiian Islands. Hula is accompanied by a chant (oli) or song (mele). The hula tells the story of the oli or mele.

 

Hula Kahiko

There are two styles of hula, old-style hula, as performed before the Western encounters with Hawai'i, is called kahiko. It is a religious dance meant to honor the gods and kings of Hawai'i. Accompanied by chant and traditional percussion instruments, they told the myths and legends of the Hawaiian people.

 

While the missionaries brought the islands written language and a diatonic scale, they disapproved of hula and banned public performances. Luckily for us, devoted dancers moved their hula practice into hiding. Because of them, the art was not lost and we can still share the ancient dances and stories with audiences today.

 

Hula 'Auana

Hula as it evolved under Western influence is call 'auana. The motions are more fluid, but often inspired by their origins in hula kahiko.It is accompanied by beautiful, harmonious song and musical instruments such as guitar, bass and ukulele. Modern hulas tell stories of native flowers, shells and legends, as well as celebrate love and aloha.

 

In hula 'auana, dancers take special pride in their appearance, sometimes using elaborate costumes and intricately braided leis and headbands (called haku) with floral accents.

About the Director
Michele Malia was born and raised in Hawai'i on the island of Oahu. She studied hula and Tahitian under Louise (one of two young kumu hula who proposed the idea of hula competition to Uncle George Na'ope, founder of the 4-day Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in 1970) and Luka Kaleiki of the 'Ilima Hula Studio in Kalihi, 1973-76 Merrie Monarch champions. She continued hula after moving to the mainland, performing with a group of local Hawaiians for festivals, nursing homes, corporate parties and luaus under the direction of her mother, Jan Mojica, a student of both the Kaleikis of the Ilima Hula Studio and John Kaha'i Topolinski of Ka Pa Hula Hawai'i.
About the Academy
Na Pua 'Ilima Hula Academy is a Michigan Domestic Non-Profit Corporation offering classes in Hula and Hawaiian Culture in the metro Detroit area. The only Polynesian Studio in Detroit, we offer levels of classes from beginner to advanced learning. We will offer classes in Hawaiian language ('olelo) and Hawaiian cultural skills, including arts, crafts and implements (na mea hula) and costumes (lole hula).
 
We follow tradition, sharing what we learn with other communities so all can benefit from an appreciation of the ways of Hawai'i. Our vision is to reach people who may not be exposed to the Hawaiian culture and share the spirit of Aloha.