Appropriate combinations in costume and color is important.
Pele is fond of red, hence her red cloak. Hi'iaka, as one of the gods of the hula altar, wore the green of the altar. It is as if the god, or spirit, were veiled by the greenery. Hence, the dancer appears enveloped in green which is dropped as the dance proceeds. In any song pertaining to the sea blue tapa is used for the pa'u. For earth, a pa'u of brown tapa. For the drum dance, hula pahu, a kikepa or long garment of tapa wound around the body, tied over the left shoulder and allowing free movement of feet. Any color appropriate to the chief to be honored might be chosen.....
Go to the current issue of HULA MAI 'OE - Hula Newsletter