Hula

The storytelling dance of the Hawaiian Islands connects dancers and audiences to the foundation of Hawaiian ancestral knowledge. Hula animates and brings life to history, genealogy, prophecy, and the stories of those who came before.

Deeper practice of hula often involves stewardship of the environment – for example, caring for the forests where ferns and maile (a fragrant vine used to make lei) grow to make adornments. Practices like this are a tangible, personal connection between the dancer, the stories he or she is dancing about, and the legendary origins of hula itself.

A trip to Hawaii is incomplete without enjoying at least one Hawaiian hula performance. The hula dance is one of Hawaii’s oldest traditions and is often accompanied by either Hawaiian music (mele) or a traditional Hawaiian chant. While the Hawaiian hula dance has become a popular source of entertainment for visitors to Hawaii, its role in Hawaiian culture is to visually portray the story of the chant or song.

While you may already think you know about the Hawaiian hula dance, we wanted to share 10 facts that we hope will enlighten and educate you about this beautiful dance.

Hulas are not just a dance. The origin of the hula in Hawaii was that of a religious ceremony and today, a hula is often performed at blessings and celebrations.

Not all dances performed in Hawaii are the Hawaiian hula.

While you will likely see a Hawaiian hula dance at just about any luau you attend, not every dance is a Hula. For example, the image above is not a Hawaiian hula, but a traditional Tahitian Otea dance.

At Gay Bowl XXII, you will enjoy Hula at the opening party and Tahitian dance at the closing party.

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Funding for Gay Bowl XXII has been provided via a grant by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) through the Community Enrichment Program (CEP). For more info about HTA and CEP, click here.