Many people dream of visiting the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. Mention of this Pacific paradise evokes images of women in grass skirts swaying their hips as they perform graceful island dances for the benefit of tourists…

Hula dancing has always been part of Hawaiian life… It was most likely originally performed in front of an altar in honor of gods and accompanied by great ritual.

The English explorer Captain James Cook’s visit caused many changes… King David Kalakaua is credited with reviving hula dancing during his reign in the late nineteenth century.

In the 1960s, a Hawaiian cultural festival was established… organized into categories of hula kahiko (ancient style) and hula auana (modern style).

Traditional hula is energetic… modern hula is slower and more graceful. It is danced to flowing guitar and ukulele music, and dancers wear elaborate costumes.

It has become a way for native Hawaiians to maintain their cultural identity… What was once a religious ritual has become a form of entertainment and cultural heritage.