What types of instruments are synonymous with Hawaiian music?
Leah Bernstein: Lipu (gourds), ‘uli‘uli (rattling gourds) pahu drum, nose flute, and in modern day, ukulele, stand up bass and guitar. Go Visit Hawaii: I’ve heard of modern, traditional, Jawaiian and exotica styles of Hawaiian music among others. Can you help us visitors understand the major styles and what distinguishes each? Leah Bernstein: Traditional Hawaiian music is an offshoot of melody being brought to the Hawaiian people by the missionary (hymns). Ancient Hawaiian music was chant, and percussive (hence the pahu drums, ipu, ‘uli”uli etc.). Once the western mind arrived on these shores, the Hawaiians were (and continue to be) extremely receptive and adopted melody along with new instrumentation and harmony. Hawaiians discovered in the Christian churches that they had amazing voices and used them differently than they had ever used them before Westerners arrived. Contemporary Hawaiian music has evolved from the musician incorporating new rhythms, new instruments, new sounds to th
