Faith & Values: Holy hula

The United Church of Christ New Brighton is planning its typical Easter services tomorrow. There will be special songs by the choir, Bible readings, music by brass and string groups, a hula, a children's. ...

Whoa! Back up a second. A hula?

Yes, but don't laugh. In fact, don't even snicker. This hula isn't going to be performed by women wearing grass bikinis. This is a real hula, a traditional Hawaiian dance that, before it was co-opted by the tourism industry, was a respected art form used to convey and celebrate history.

"It's a very rich and incredibly deep dance," said the Rev. Beth Donaldson, who leads the hula. (She wears her dance costume under her preaching robe.) "When you tell people in Minnesota that you dance the hula, they think that you're some kind of hoochie-koochie dancer. But in Hawaii, it was used to honor kings. It's very respected."

Before she became a minister, Donaldson was a professional dancer. She spent 13 years in Hawaii studying the hula, becoming so proficient that she was the only non-native hired to perform in a Hawaiian dance troupe.

Injuries to her feet eventually drove her into a new career, but the pain didn't dampen her passion for the dance. She suggested incorporating a hula into the Christmas Eve service, and when that went over well, started planning an Easter performance.

"My friends [outside the church] giggled when I told them what I was doing," admitted Dana Steiner, a member of the troupe.

Fellow dancer Sue Clerc got a similar reaction from her friends, but she used it as chance to enlighten them.

"The don't understand the connection between hula and the church," said Clerc, whose 10-year-old daughter, Payton, will be dancing with her. "I look at it as a form of sign language."

Talking with their hands

Donaldson choreographs the dance, an intricate series of movements designed to convey a message. Tackling a theological theme is tricky, she said.

"Originally, hula was a form of oral history," she said. "It's a lot easier to come up with movements for events than for concepts. 'Running' is easier to depict than 'strengthening' or 'protecting.'"

Last weekend, Donaldson led a rehearsal in the church basement while speaking words from a language that developed 4,000 miles away. "Kahola right, kahola left, then five helas," she said. "Maika`i [good]!"

It wasn't long before the dancers were dabbing perspiration from their foreheads.

"I'm 63, and I'm here partly for the exercise," Brenda Otterson said during a break. "I studied the hula when I was in second grade. I don't remember any of it, but I do remember that I liked it."

For Jewell Martin, hula offers a way to participate in the pageantry of Easter services.

"I don't sing, and I don't play an instrument, so this is a way for me to be part of that morning," she said. "Plus, it adds so much spirituality."

It's an educational experience, too, said dancer Bettie Reuther. While the dancers were catching their breath, Donaldson would talk about the centuries-long history of what they were doing.

"It's just so fascinating to be part of," Reuther said.

Much to remember

The dancers have to remember the proper form for each gesture and footstep, to say nothing of getting them in the right order. They have "cheat sheets" to help them during the rehearsal, but they'll need to have it all down by rote on Easter morning.

Donaldson encouraged them to relax: "Don't worry. Don't think. Experience! Show! Emote! Pay attention with your whole being."

The only part of the Easter hula that won't be authentic is the costuming.

"For a religious dance, the real costumes are extremely elaborate," Donaldson said. "We couldn't afford those." So they're going to wear simple white outfits accented with sashes, leis and flowers.

Donaldson sees a rosy future for her hula troupe. She's busy teaching part-time at a seminary this semester, but once her schedule loosens, she hopes to focus more energy on dancing.

"I'd like to see us make hula a part of the regular service instead of using it only on high holy days," she said.

Her troupe is ready, willing and -- by Easter morning, they promise -- able. That means that they'll be doing some serious practicing today.

"It's a lot harder than it looks," admitted Payton Clerc.

Jeff Strickler • 612-673-7392