| The Hula dance is associated with Hawaii and | | | | the rules stated that hula students could not |
| luaus and while everyone knows what the hula | | | | cut their fingernails or even their hair. |
| is very few people are actually knowledgeable | | | | Other rules stated hula students could not |
| of its origin, not even the Hawaiians. | | | | engage in sex nor could they eat certain |
| According to Hawaiian history there is no | | | | foods that were forbidden. As a result, the |
| information available as to who performed the | | | | life of the hula dancer in hula school was |
| first hula dance or why, however it is a | | | | very strict, yet all of the rules were for a |
| common agreement that the original hula dance | | | | purpose that believed the students would |
| was performed by a god or goddess, making the | | | | learn to dance the hula better if they did |
| dance sacred to Hawaiians. And this dance is | | | | not engage in the forbidden activities.Today |
| sacred to men and women in Hawaii because the | | | | there are two types of hula, hula kahiko and |
| hula was danced by both sexes despite some | | | | hula auana. Hula hahiko is the old style that |
| information stating only men danced the hula. | | | | was described above and generally includes |
| This information is incorrect and actually | | | | percussion, chanting, and the traditional |
| men and women both were involved in the | | | | costumes. Hula kahiko is traditional and |
| sacred hula dance.There are many types of | | | | ritualistic and the chanting tells the story |
| Polynesian dances; however the hula is one of | | | | more than the dance moves. However, for the |
| a kind and completely different than other | | | | more entertaining hula auna there is music, |
| dances in this area of the world. The | | | | guitars, entertaining costumes to enhance the |
| origination of the hula was used for rituals | | | | dance, ukuleles and even songs. This type of |
| and ceremonies, however this changed over | | | | hula uses body movements and the hands to |
| time and eventually the hula was a dance used | | | | really tell the story because it is easier |
| strictly for entertainment.When dancing the | | | | for tourists to understand.While the hula |
| hula individuals truly must become one with | | | | dance has been around for thousands of years |
| the dance and the actions, objects, or images | | | | and always been popular it almost disappeared |
| they are imitating in their hula dance. The | | | | in the 1800s when missionaries arrived in |
| hula is a very meaningful dance and every | | | | Hawaii. The missionaries believed that hula |
| movement of the body represents something. In | | | | dancing was devilish and against God and |
| addition to this, the hands are very | | | | tried to convince the dancers of their |
| important in the hula dance as well. When the | | | | wrongdoing by dancing the hula. However, King |
| individual is dancing the hula they may be | | | | Kalakaua did not want the traditional dance |
| imitating a palm tree, war, plants, and even | | | | of the islands to disappear simply because |
| animals. Because of this when the individual | | | | the missionaries did not understand what the |
| is dancing they are transforming themselves | | | | hula was all about in the first place so he |
| mentally into the object they are portraying | | | | took action.As a result, King Kalakaua |
| through dance. Basically, the hula dancer is | | | | developed his own group of hula dancers and |
| telling a story through the movements of the | | | | encouraged them to learn the hula dance, the |
| body and hands and as a result it is very | | | | old style hula, and fortunately the hula did |
| important to watch. Chants also accompany the | | | | not disappear and still remains a very |
| hula dance and while they used to be the most | | | | important dance of the islands and even today |
| important part of the dance to portray what | | | | there are hundreds of hula schools on all the |
| was happening they are no longer so and the | | | | Hawaiian islands that teach the hula dance, |
| movements are most important. You will notice | | | | old style, to the students. Even today many |
| the difference if you see a portrayal of old | | | | of the hula schools have strict rules like |
| style hula dancing compared to new style hula | | | | the old hula schools implemented.There are |
| dancing. While both are still hula dancing | | | | even hula schools and groups that teach old |
| and fun to watch, the first is more | | | | style hula dancing to people on the mainland |
| ritualistic and the second more | | | | so while hula remains an important part of |
| entertaining.The hula dancers wear a costume | | | | Hawaiian culture the culture is spreading and |
| in order to perform the hula dance. This | | | | many people show an interest in learning how |
| consists of leis made of flowers around the | | | | to hula dance.When you visit Hawaii, no |
| neck or even the shoulders. A grass skirt is | | | | matter what island you visit, you will |
| also used and is made of tapa and known as a | | | | certainly see plenty of hula dancing from old |
| pau. The dancers also wear anklets made of | | | | style to the newer and more entertaining hula |
| whale bone or even dog teeth. The whole | | | | and regardless which one you like the most |
| ensemble makes up the vision of the hula | | | | you should definitely attend festivals or |
| dancer the whole world is aware of.In the | | | | dances that exhibit both styles so you can |
| past, when hula was danced as a religious | | | | see the performing arts of the island and |
| ritual rather than simply for entertainment | | | | learn about the culture, history and the |
| the rules regarding the hula dance were very | | | | people of Hawaii. You never know, you may |
| strict and individuals involved in hula | | | | learn a few hula moves yourself.Bill McKenzie |
| dancing school were required to follow them | | | | is reservation manager for Wailua Bay View, |
| while they were learning how to dance. | | | | oceanfront Kauai Vacation Rentals. He has |
| Generally, students were required to follow | | | | personally researched and experienced many of |
| all rules and behave properly while obeying | | | | the Hawaiian activities and destinations as |
| their hula teacher in all requests. Some of | | | | described above. |