Pu’ili

What is the Pu’ili, and how do hulas utilize it?

Pu’ili is a hula-style piece of split bamboo sticks, often played in hula dances to create rhythm and increase the intensity of the performance. They swing the bamboo sticks between two hands and then strike them in unison to create a hard, harsh sound to go along with the dancing and the oli or songs (mele). : Pu’ili is commonly employed in both traditional (Kahiko) and contemporary (Auana) hula forms to create a more dynamic rhythmic flow and keep the dancers in step with the music. It is a central component of the hula group, forming part of the spiritual and cultural ambience of the performance.