"olapa" vs. "ala'apapa"
The hula 'ala'apapa are very old, classic poetical pieces used for the hula pa ipu with often very lengthy pauku (verses). The 'olapa, on the other hand, tend to be "newer" (i.e., 19th century) poetical pieces that were composed in couplets or quatrains. These mele are interpreted in the 'olapa style such as hula pa ipu, hula 'uli'uli, hula kuhilima, etc. Later on, moreover in the early 20th century in the least, "hula 'olapa" was the term used to refer to all "ancient" style hula. "Hula kahiko" is a newer term and so is the use of the term "hula 'auana". The old timers called the modern hula, "hula ku'i," for it described the "ku'i" or the "joining" of old, familiar steps and movements to a newer form of music. Those of us who had a strict background in hula also know that there is another kind of hula ku'i that is more of a foot twisting, heel stamping dance that gained popularity during the time of King Kaläkaua. There is also the hula ku'i Moloka'i which is also different. To those of us who learned the hula kuahu and/or the hula kapu, the hula 'auana actually means those kind of chants and dances that do not have to be learned or performed without any ritual obligation. This genre of hula is "'auana" or "one is free to wander about as one wishes." We do have a rich history to our hula that does not seem to be known by many living persons today and so a lot of confusion is out there concerning the use of hula terminology. I was always taught that if I did not know something, acknowledge that you do not know and maybe, if it is meant to be, you'll find the answer. Otherwise, it is dangerous to fill the void and make something up and pass on misinformation due to a "feeling" or a "whim." There is more substance to hula than this.
Source: Kimo Alama Keaulana
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