In this hula tutorial, Honolulu Kumu Hula (hula instructor) Snowbird Bento and the dancers from her hālau hula (hula school), Ka Pā Hula O Ka Lei Lehua, demonstrate wāwae (foot) and lima (hand) movements. They dance to the song “This is the Rain,” composed by Kumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho. Kumu Johnny passed it down to Kumu Snowbird, who now uses the song to teach the basics of hula ‘auana movements to kids and beginners.

Extension Project: Give your middle and high school students the opportunity to create and publish original dance videos with an accompanying artist statement with the KQED Youth Media Challenge: If Schools Could Dance.