Hula is uniquely Hawaiian and is an important part of the Island culture. Born hundreds of years ago, hula remains a means of telling stories through hand and body movements.
Hula is much more than a dance. It’s a worldwide symbol of the Hawaiian culture. It’s an enchanting art form performed for audiences around the globe. It’s a means of retelling and preserving the legends, history, traditions, and connection with nature so important to the Hawaiian people.
Hula is uniquely Hawaiian and is a dance accompanied by chants and songs. To enhance the experience, musical instruments, such as gourds, drums, guitars, and ukuleles, are often used.
It’s not certain when hula was born in the Islands, but some stories tell of the beginnings on the islands of Molokai and Kauai hundreds of years ago. Traditionally, only men were allowed to dance hula.
Throughout Hawaii, many styles of hula are presented in festivals and competitions and at spectacular resort luaus such as those at the Royal Lahaina and Royal Kona resorts.
Today, hula is performed by men and women everywhere in Hawaii. There are also many varieties and styles of the dance. There are old and modern styles, the latter of which is most often seen by visitors to the Islands. The modern hula is more fluid and often danced to western influenced music. The old style features more traditional costumes and dancing to heavier chanting and more drum-like instrumentation.
Throughout Hawaii and during many months of the year, you can find all forms of hula being performed at special festivals and competitions. Additionally, many of the hotels and resorts offer spectacular hula and Polynesian dance shows and luaus. On Maui, the Royal Lahaina Resort’s “The Myths of the Maui” luau is presented nightly with dances telling the stories of the island, gods, and legends. On the Big Island of Hawaii, the Royal Kona Resort features the “Voyagers of the Pacific” luau with performances four nights a week, highlighting hula and many other South Pacific dances.
For more information on the Royal Lahaina and Royal Kona resorts and their luau shows, go to www.hawaiihotels.com.