Hawaii

Hawaiian instruments Check out some of the traditional instruments that we used on Mark Riley’s recordings.

This is a pahu drum used in hula. They play it with their fingers or hands or both. It is made from the bottom of a coconut tree or breadfruit wood. The top is made of shark skin.

You can listen to sound bites here.

This gourd drum is known as the Ipu Heke or Ipu Hula, which is made out of two gourds: a larger, longer bottom gourd called the ‘Olo; and a smaller, far shorter gourd called the Heke, which means “top”. Played by slapping side and to get a bass sound, hitting the floor with the base.

A smaller version of the Ipu Heke often used by the dancers. They play them as they dance. The base giving a low sound.

Both the Ipu Hekes are used in Hula

Vibrant coloured feather gourd rattles used to help hula dancers tell their stories in exciting and creative ways

The Pu’ili is a split bamboo rattle and dancers often create rhythms by hitting their bodies.

Water-worn stones from rivers in which nature has done the shaping.

This picture show’s the playing position for getting a good sound. They are played a little like castanets.

‘Ohe hano ihu – is a Hawaiian nose flute. The Hawaiians believed that the breath coming from the nose is pure and innocent unlike that of the mouth which can say many things.

Hawaiian conch shell trumpet.