Aloha Allure

This is a very popular Tahitian drum beat routine "The Paea" The rhythmic set repeats 16 times. It's a standard number in the Polynesain dancers repertoire - relatively easy to learn for beginners. There's a variety of choreographed variations of this otea - below is just one example. We would do a shortened version of Paea just after doing audience participation in some of our shows.

A big thank you to:  Kalani N. Poʻomaiahealani  for researching and providing the following hula terms Hula Dance Terms 1. ʻAi: dancing style or type 2. ʻ Ai ʻami : type of haʻa with little foot movement, hips revolve throughout the dance 3. ʻ Ai haʻa : hula step executed with bended knee 4. ʻ Ai kāwele, Kāwele: haʻa step; one foot makes a half circle forward and to the side without touching the floor; usually in combination with other steps as the holo or ʻuwehe; used in "A Koʻolau Au" 5. ʻAmi: rotation of hips in a circle 6. ʻ Amiʻami, ʻAmi hula : jerking motion of the hips back and forth in a crude or vulgar manner 7. ʻʻAmi kāhela, ʻAmi poepoe: hip rotates with the weight on the right hip as the left heel lifts very slightly, then reversing this action 8. ʻAmi kūkū: like the ʻami kāhela except the revolutions are smaller, faster and in groups of three; sometimes combined with two slower kāhele revolutions 9. ʻAmi kuʻupau (uninhi...

The basic hula step is a 3 step called the Kaholo or the Vamp (a '70s term).   It's a 1,2,3, Tap count used throughout  Polynesian dance. Start with your right foot stepping to the side - Right - Left - Right -Tap left... then side step Left - Right - Left - Tap right - Repeat. Your hips move side to side never stopping - just a smooth fluid motion - right - left - right - left. Your knees remain bent and your shoulders are level. Your weight is centered so you should not be leaning forward or back. In this video demonstration she is taking large side steps - this is only to demonstrate the Kaholo. Once you get the swing of things, your dance steps will be more refined. Practice the kaholo going in all directions - make 1/4 turns - facing each wall - make 1/2 turns face back , than forward, and finally do full turns - the whole while, moving your hips. To purchase how to  video's from Kili visit Natural Journeys

Music & Lyrics by Keola Beamer One of my all time favorite song's. Thought I'd share the lyrics with you - (as well as the hula!) Looking out upon the city lights,  and the stars above the ocean Got my ticket for the midnight plane and its not easy to leave again Took my clothes and put them in the bag; try not to think just yet of  leaving Looking out into the city night and it's not easy to leave again. (Chorus) Each time Honolulu city lights stir up memories in me. Each night Honolulu city lights bring me back again. You are my island sunset; you are my island dream. Put on my shoes and light a cigarette Wonderin' which of my friends will be here Standin' with their leis around my neck. It's not easy to leave again. (chorus)