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Hula

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A traditional Hawaiian hula performance during a ceremony at Iolani Palace where the U.S. Navy returned control of Kahoʻolawe Island to the State of Hawaii.

Hula

Hula is a beautiful dance from the Hawaiian Islands. It is made by the Native Hawaiians and tells stories or shows feelings through movement.

There are two main types of hula: Hula ʻAuana and Hula Kahiko. Hula Kahiko is the older style, performed long ago. It does not use modern instruments like guitars. Hula ʻAuana came later and uses songs with instruments like the guitar, the ʻukulele, and the double bass. Dancers use their hands, feet, and hips to show feelings, nature, or ideas.

Hula is special to the Hawaiian Islands. It has many hand movements that match the words in a song or chant. For example, hands can show the sway of a tree or the motion of ocean waves.

Hula was very important in the past. It was used to honor chiefs and celebrate special events. Today, people still love hula and perform it in many places. The Merrie Monarch Festival is a big event where dancers from around the world come to celebrate hula.

Hula is taught in special schools called hālau. The teacher of hula is known as the kumu hula. Students learn many dances and chants to keep the tradition alive.

Images

Traditional Hawaiian hula performance in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Traditional Hawaiian hula dance performance in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
A traditional Hawaiian hula dancer performing at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, wearing a ʻuliʻuli (feathered skirt) during a cultural performance.
Traditional Hawaiian hula dancers performing at the Old Lahaina Luau.
Cultural hula performers at the opening of Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery, a visitor center for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii.
A young woman performing a traditional Hawaiian hula dance at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Keali'i Reichel performing a traditional Hula dance at a concert in Hawaii.
Historical photograph of Hawaiian hula dancers performing in a studio setting.
Two young Hawaiian girls performing a traditional hula dance at a circus show in 1920.
An anthropologist holds traditional hula implements: a split bamboo tool for rhythmic sounds and a feathered gourd rattle used in dance.

Related articles

Hawaiian Islands
Native Hawaiians
Ukulele
Double bass

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Hula, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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