Behind The Art Of The Hawaiian Hula

Today, the hula is a form of entertainment performed for the crowds to watch. Little do visitors know, but it represents so much more.

As the sun sets along the shoreline, there is a persistent beating of drums in the distance. The sun is replaced by the roaring fires of torches. Here begins Hawaii’s most enchanting display. Decked out in their Aloha shirts and taking in the sounds of the chanted mele, spectators applaud in awe at the dancers taking the stage.

Hula Kahiko

When the voyagers of Polynesia came to Hawaii, they brought with them a set of traditions and legends that they wanted to pass on to the generations to come. Since there was no written language, the stories along with their emotions were documented with a combination of movements that were later known as the ‘hula’.

Group of native Hawaiian hula dancing girls and musicians, Hawaii, 1907

On bare feet, the footwork of the hula was borrowed from the other Polynesian islands, carried over by ancestors. The movements of the hands and arms mimicked those found in nature, like the waves crashing onto the shore or the sway of the branches from the surrounding palm trees. The connection that the people of Hawaii felt to the land and nature around them is expressed in each and every step of the dance.

Hula Auna

After the arrival of Western missionaries, the hula, along with much of Hawaiian religion, was banned throughout the islands. For many years, the hula stayed tucked away in the memories of the natives. Thankfully, with tourism to Hawaii came the resurgence of the hula.

Dancers are dressed more modestly and the costumes are much more elaborate than they were in their original form. The performers are accompanied by Western string instruments instead of a gourd drum. The music and movements of the dances are still entrancing, though not as religiously connected as they once were.

Accompanied by singers and chanters during luaus, the hula is now offered as a fairly common form of entertainment for visiting tourists. Its popularity has navigated around the world and continues to attract people from all over.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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