Women of Hula
I first saw the hula performed traditionally way back in 1986 as a college intern working at the Kamehameha Schools O’ahu campus. I quickly became enchanted with the nature of the dance and did what comes naturally to me -- make photographs!
This is where my life as a fine-art photographer began. I had seen the previous work of 2 other photographers, who also captured the hula kahiko, and I wanted to create my own collection, but with a different style. Nearly all of these images are captured on Kodak TMY film, hand developed at ASA800. After printing in my Maui darkroom, I sepia toned every print to give it a warm, antique feel. Then, using retouching pencils, I colored subtle hues -- as was popular before the invention of color film. The effect was soft, romantic, and emotional.
To this day, I still love to capture the ancient dance of Hawai'i with my camera. I am still enchanted by the hula dancer; we all are.
The artwork in this collection is printed on acid-free watercolor paper, double matted, and available framed in Koa wood. Remember that our guaranteed safe shipping is absolutely free on all orders shipped within the United States!
Pule Ho'opomaika'i
To Ask A Blessing
#102
Lava rock at Makena, home of Maui's last lava flow, is the stage for Cirony's peaceful sunset hula. Our best selling image.
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Ku'uleialoha
My Lei Of Love
#122
Let dancer Ku`uleialoha weave a "lei of aloha" for you with this beautiful image, captured at sunset at Kauai's Kalapaki Bay.
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Hula - Na 'Olelo O Ka Pu'uwai
Hula - The Language Of The Heart
#101
Champion dancer Haunani Paredes moves to the chant Kui Wailua, from the legend of Pele, the Fire Goddess, and Pele's sister, Hi'iaka.
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Na Maka 'A
Fiery Eyes
#103
Liana's eyes resemble those of Pele, the legendary volcano goddess.
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Ku Ka Punohu 'Ula
Red Standing Rainbow
#114
The beauty of Kanoe's dance evokes memories of a distant past. The hula was a primary means of expression for the early Hawaiians; it served to instruct, inspire, and entertain.
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Maika'i Ka 'Oiwi O Ka'ala
Splendid Is The Form Of Mount Ka'ala
#111
Haunani was "Hula O Na Keiki" hula champion at age 16. Her ti-leaf skirt was made from 200 ti leaves! In this dance she reveals that her lover's shoulders resemble the square mountain top of Ka'ala, on O'ahu.
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Ku`ia Ka Hele A Ka Na`au Ha`aha`a
Hesitant Walks The Humble Hearted
#183
The title of this image is taken from a Hawaiian Proverb: "Ku`ia Ka Hele A Ka Na`au Ha`aha`a" ("Hesitant Walks The Humble Hearted.") Per Mary Kawena Pukui's translation, the meaning here is "A humble person walks carefully so he will not hurt those about him."
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'Onipa'a
Determined
#176
Becoming an icon in the world of hula, dancer Cirony Brown is back with yet another powerful image.
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Nohona Ho'olaule'a
Celebrate Life
#195
Kaipo's hula with this stunning sunset as her backdrop simply celebrates the special moments in life.
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He Punawai Kahe Wale Ke Aloha
Love Is A Spring That Flows Freely --`Olelo No`eau (Hawaiian Proverb)
#132
This couple was captured in a tranquil moment on Maui's North Shore, where many secret waterfalls such as this one abound. The title, a Hawaiian proverb, means that "Love is without bounds and exists for all." A romantic image that makes a perfect gift for the sweetheart in your life.
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Ka Leo O Ka Makani
The Voice Of The Wind
#180
Feel the soothing whispers of the wind as dancer Babe Valero performs her hula noho (sitting hula). This stunning image was captured at Maui's peaceful Po'olenalena Beach.
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Pa'u Kahulihuli
Swaying Skirt
#109
Ka'uluwehi performs a spirited hula on Polo Beach in Wailea, Maui. Her bracelets and anklets (or kupe'e) are made from kukui nuts, also known as candlenuts, which come from the kukui tree--a symbol of enlightenment.
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Kipu 'Ahe'ahe
Quiet Peace
#150
Haunani's serene and graceful dance reveals what made her a champion dancer at age 16. Precious leis of maile vine and palapalai ferns adorn Haunani's neck. In days of old, these plants were placed on the hula altar in honor of Laka, goddess of the hula.
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Ka Lama Ku O Ka No`eau
The Standing Torch Of Wisdom
#165
Feel the heat as Babe pays tribute to the Hawaiian fire goddess Pele in her flawless sunset hula. Maui's beautiful Po'olenalena Beach is the setting of her dance.
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Nene `Aukai
A White Bird Drifting Over The Sea
#219
Kaua`i dancer, Tiffany, steps gracefully in a "duck walk" across the sand. She is the daughter of Kaua'i's most famous fire-knife dancer.
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He La'au Ku Ho'okahi, He Lehua No Moloka'i
A Lone Tree, A Lehua Blossom Of Moloka'i
#192
Per Mary Kawena Pukui's translation of this 'olelo no'eau, this is said in admiration of an outstanding person, unequaled in beauty, wisdom, and skill. The Ma'alaea sunrise warms the face of Rachael Ray Kimmel, who was born in Kealakekua and grew up on the "Friendly Isle" of Moloka'i. Named after the late auntie Rachel Naki-a legendary Hawaiian taro farmer there, Rachael carries on this spirit, sharing her cultural knowledge on a daily basis. Rachael's lei po'o (head lei) of kauna'oa grows along the shores of Moloka'i.
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'A'a I Ka Hula, Waiho Ka Hilahila I Ka Hale
Dare To Hula, Leave Shyness At Home
#198
Mandy has earned trophies in both Tahitian and Hawaiian dance forms. I photographed her in 1996 and only recently re-discovered this image in my archives -- eleven years later!
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Nani O Ka Lani
Beauty Of The Heavens
#167
This beautiful hula by Babe Valero was performed at Po'olenalena Beach on Maui. Hula often tells a story of the beauty we find in nature, and its connection to man. Here she describes this beauty found in the heavenly places.
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'Ohu Kolo
Creeping Mist
#220
Chrissy Kama of Hilo, Hawai'i performes a hula noho or sit down hula which uses the whole body. Chrissy studied under the instruction of Johnny Lum Ho and has competed for the coveted Miss Aloha Hula title at The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival.
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Ku Mai Ka Makani Maka Pili
Here Comes The Eye Squinting Wind
#106
The "Maka Pili" wind comes alive as Kanoe dances. Kanoe is also a Hawaiian language teacher for emmersion schools and has taken perfect scores at hula competitions where judges insist there are no perfect scores! Hang this on your wall and feel the wind blow.
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Nani Keia `Aina
This Is The Beauty Of The Land
#110
Cirony performs an 'uwehe, a difficult hula step that demonstrates the strength, balance, and grace required of a dancer. I photographed this image at sunset, on the shores of Makena, where Maui's last lava flow reaches the cooling waters of the Pacific.
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A`ohe Mea `Imi A Ka Maka
Nothing More For The Eyes To Search For --`Olelo No'eau (Hawaiian Proverb)
#153
The "Friendly Isle" of Moloka'i brings to us this lovely dancer, Jasmine Nani Ne. The title, a Hawaiian proverb, means that "Everything one desires is in his presence."
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Ua La'i Ka Nohona I Ke Alo Pali
There Is Tranquility Before The Face Of The Cliff ('Olelo No'eau meaning -- Perfect Peace )
#125
Ku`ulei cradles an `uli`uli, or gourd rattle, in a moment of tranquility; a pair of waterfalls on Maui's North Shore accompany her dance.
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Sunset Lovers
#199
There is nothing more romantic than being together at sunset.
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Na Leo Kupuna I Ka Makani
Ancestors Voices On The Wind
#201
Danielle moves swiftly along the sparkling sands of Makena in a hula that pays tribute to her elders.
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Kaiue
With The Motion Of The Sea
#202
Coming to us from Vancouver, this dancer is every bit as intense as a "born & raised" Hawaiian in her hula methods. In fact, I have photographed three haumana (students) from this Canadian hula school over the past five years. The school continues to rate as one of the best outside of the islands. Tricia was tough as nails, and smooth as silk.
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He Inoa No Lono
In The Name Of Lono
#108
Champion dancer (and now award-winning Kumu Hula) Haunani pays tribute to Lono, one of the four major Hawaiian gods brought from Tahiti, representing peace, harvest and fertility. This image continues to be a part of my best selling collection.
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Kilakila
Majestic
#178
Haunani dances hula majestically on the sand with this playful hula. She always remains so relaxed while dancing even a fast paced hula like this one.
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Maluaka
Comforting Blanket Of Clouds
#203
Hula dancer Tarrah came to me from the untouched beauty of Moloka'i, where she was born, and will remain forever to raise her 'ohana.
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Maka Ki`i
Flirtatious Eyes
#112
Liana's expression is like that of a Polynesian Mona Lisa. Caught in a moment of repose, Liana teases you with her eyes.
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Ka'uluwehi
Beautiful One
#113
Ka'uluwehi moves with poise on the sands of "Polo Beach" -- a dry, desolate, and empty beach before Wailea Resort was developed. Her body is adorned with layers of dried ti leaves -- an abundant, and durable plant in Hawai'i.
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Tahitian Twilight
#185
One of my very favorite photographs of Kumu Hula Babe Valero happened after all of the dancing was pau for the day.
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Pu`u O Makena
Makena Hill
#160
Champion dancer, Natasha, uses an `uli`uli in her hula kahiko near Pu`u `Ola'i, Maui, on the other side of "Big Beach".
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Kai Pa'ihi
Trickling Sea Water
#164
Karian takes a moment after her hula to refresh in the ocean water off of Waiehu, Maui. This "out-take, candid" image eventually turned into one of my favorites. I remember how difficult it was to print this one in my traditional darkroom!
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Ho'opahili
To Cause The Wind To Blow Strongly
#214
Tarrah of Moloka'i performs a hula about a strong wind using a hula implement, the 'uli'uli. In traditional hula, one hand performs the 'uli'uli, the other hand tells the story.
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The Wedding Dance
The Wedding Dance
#187
Na Kumu Hula Haunani & 'Iliahi dance a tightly synchronized choreography just prior to their wedding.
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Loa'a Ka Hanehane
Discover The Spirit
#196
Chrissy has earned the reputation of being one of Hawai'i's best hula dancers. Here she is again, performing gracefully across the thick sand, eleven years after the first time I photographed her. Her hula has grown tremendously and her spirit for the ancient dance will continue on.
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Ku`ia Ka Hele A Ka Na`au Ha`aha`a - Series 2
Hesitant Walks The Humble Hearted - Series 2
#184
Ku'uleialoha moves with poise across the shimmering Kalapaki sands on Kaua'i. She wears leis made of maile, palapalai, laua'e, and mokihana.
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Rachael's Hawaiian Heirloom Portrait
Rachael's Hawaiian Heirloom Portrait
#204
Rachael's smile is contagious! After helping many families create their own family heirloom portraits in this style, Rachael got dressed up for her own special portrait. Rather than a more stoic look common in this type of portraiture, Rachael couldn't help but flash that big smile!
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Rachael With Ipuheke
Rachael With Ipuheke
#205
Hula is pleasing because of the drummer. Here Rachael uses an ipu heke to accompany sound with her hula. With a special pa'u hula skirt made from pounded bark cloth, Rachael performed this hula in Makena, Maui. She also wears leis made of palapalai fern and maile vine.
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Kaulana Na Pua
Famous Are The Flowers
#206
Haunani's hula refers to the famous flowers of Hawaii. However, in typical kaona style with hidden meanings, she is actually referring to the na keiki (the beautiful children) of Hawai'i.
Haunani is now a Kumu Hula on the island of Maui with many keiki haumana.
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Ka Wa Kahiko
The Ancient Times
#120
Miles from modern civilization, Dancer Kapuamakamae boldly performs her ancient dance on the rugged slopes of Kahiki Nui. Behind her looms the summit of Haleakala as she faces lava formations and the wind-swept ocean waves.
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Kalapana Daybreak
Kalapana Daybreak
#207
Hula Teacher Shiho Tomida reflects upon the newly created lava flow at Kalapana on the Big Island.
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'Eleu's Hula
#138
There is nothing like good hula and 'Eleu makes it challenging for me to keep up with her fast paced hula. A seasoned dancer, 'Eleu has performed world wide from The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, to concerts in Japan, to Carnegie Hall!
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Kahiki Nui
Great Tahiti (place name for southeast Maui District)
#107
Grace in motion, Kanoe performs a hula in honor of lands in southeast Maui. Kahiki Nui is believed to be one of the first places settled by the early Polynesian voyagers from Tahiti. Kanoe is also a Hawaiian language instructor.
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Jade
Jade
#209
This photo has recently been added to my permanent collection from images I captured of this dancer, Jade, years ago. I love the pure, raw movement of hula, and this image conveys that perfectly.
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Ipolei
Ipolei
#210
Ipolei became Maui's Hula o Na Keiki Champion at age 17. Since that time she has performed in three Merrie Monarch Hula Festivals. In 2007, she represented Maui at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival as our Miss Aloha Hula contestant.
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Na Lima Aloha
Loving Hands
#211
This hula couple shares a tender touch.
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Brienne
Brienne
#212
This image of dancer Brienne was photographed on Maui's north shore. The natural movement in her ti leaf skirt and simple maile and pikake lei make this image a perfect addition to your hula collection.
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Avis
Avis
#177
A beautiful portrait of a beautiful woman...
Avis's heirloom portrait caught the eye of many a customer, so we added it to our art print collection. Enjoy!
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Janelle
Janelle
#213
The "grass skirt" has become an iconic symbol worldwide with the hula from Hawai'i. It is actually constructed of about 200 ti leafs which are then shredded to make a hula skirt. Janelle was one of the first dancers added to my portfolio years ago. I used to love printing this photograph in the darkroom to carefully dodge and burn the background around her.
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