Traditional Hawaiian dance that tells stories through graceful hand movements, hip sways, and chants (mele) — celebrated globally while navigating cultural appropriation concerns in the 2010s-2020s.
Two Forms
Hula Kahiko (Ancient): Pre-colonial, religious/ceremonial, accompanied by chanting and traditional percussion (pahu drum, ipu gourd). Serious, spiritual, cultural preservation.
Hula Auana (Modern): Post-1820s missionary influence, accompanied by ukulele and guitar, more fluid and graceful. Tourist-facing, contemporary interpretations.
Cultural Significance
Storytelling: Hand gestures represent waves, mountains, flowers, animals — every movement has meaning.
Hawaiian identity: Dance as resistance against colonization, language preservation (ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi lyrics).
Sacred vs commercial tension: Luaus for tourists vs serious cultural practitioners (kumu hula masters).
2010s Visibility
Social media: Merrie Monarch Festival (Hilo, Hawaii) — annual hula competition, livestreamed globally 2015+.
Cultural appropriation debates:
- 2016-2020: “Hula girl dashboard” stereotypes, “grass skirt” Halloween costumes condemned
- Native Hawaiian voices amplified on Twitter/Instagram
- Call for respectful learning (hula schools, not YouTube tutorials by non-Hawaiians)
Disney’s Moana (2016): Brought Polynesian dance to mainstream, consulted cultural advisors, mixed reception.
Hula Halau (Schools)
Kumu hula: Masters who teach lineage, technique, cultural context. Multi-year training, not casual hobby.
Merrie Monarch Festival: “Olympics of hula,” most prestigious competition, kahiko and auana divisions.
Appropriation vs Appreciation
Respectful: Learning from kumu hula, understanding Hawaiian history, cultural context
Appropriation: Costumes for parties, sexualized “hula girl” tropes, performative exoticism
Related
- #HawaiianCulture, #MerrieMonarch, #Polynesian Dance, #Moana, #CulturalAppreciation