Pacific Lutheran University

October 23, 2008

The Hawaii Club showed parishioners how a hula dance can be an important part of worshiping on Oct. 20 at Chapel.

The unique dance form of the Hawaiian Islands includes a song or mele joined by a ukulele, guitar and double bass.

While the performers swayed to the song “Promises of God’s Love,” they made hand motions that signified the words that were being sung.

“It’s basically like telling a story,” said Kingsley Kalohelani, Hawaiian Club member. “It’s basically telling the story through the hands.”

The musical verses were performed in English and in Hawaiian. The English verses were a direct translation from Hawaiian, Kalohelani said.

The song and dance in the hula performance plays a significant role in the Hawaiian culture.

“It’s a huge part of the culture because that’s the way they relay history,” Kalohelani said.

Campus Voice Editor Chris Albert compiled this report. Comments, questions, ideas? Please contact him at ext. 8691 or at albertct@plu.edu. Photo by University Photographer Jordan Hartman.