A visit to the Hawaiian Islands wouldn’t be complete without attending an authentic Hawaiian luau. A luau not only involves the fantastic island cuisine, but it also involves dancing.
Hula Kahiko is the traditional style of dance native to the Hawaiian Islands. The dance is accompanied by traditional Hawaiian musical instruments such as the seed-filled gourds, the calabash, split bamboo sticks, pahu drums and stones used as castanets. The dance is also performed to the traditional Hawaiian religious chants. This is the same style of hula the early European explorers witnessed. There are only a few places where you can witness Hula Kahiko in Honolulu.
In contrast, contemporary Hula ‘Auana incorporates Western musical instruments, such as the ukulele and guitar. Hula ‘Auana is also a more flowing style of the dance, when compared to Hula Kahiko, which is rather stiff. This contemporary form of Hula is not accompanied by traditional chants, but to the lighthearted and melodious songs, modern Hawaii is known for.
Originally, the Hula Kahiko was a religious dance, only performed by trained dancers. The dancers performed for both the king and commoners to honor the gods, to promote fertility and to praise the chiefs. Anklets and bracelets made of whale teeth and of leis and headdresses made of flowers were commonly worn during the performance. The female dancers wore short skirts and the male dancers wore traditional loincloths.
If you’d like to experience traditional Hula Kahiko in Honolulu, be sure to Contact Germaine’s Luau.
