Before Western contact in 1778, hula had been a part of Hawaiian life for hundreds of years. Dancers would move to chants at temple ceremonies honoring gods and chiefs or tell stories explaining topics including weather patterns, the stars, and the movement of earth and lava.

Ancient hula, performed before Western encounters with Hawaiʻi, is called kahiko. It is accompanied by chant and traditional instruments. Hula, as it evolved under Western influence in the 19th and 20th centuries, is called ʻauana (a word that means "to wander" or "drift").

Free Hula Halau Shows – Queens' Marketplace, Waikoloa Beach Watch free hula and Polynesian dance performances at the Queen's Market Place. Both keiki (child) and adult dance troupes perform a few times a week in the Coronation Pavilion.

The Big Island, Oahu, Kauai and Molokai all claim to be the birthplace of hula. The next issue is who first performed it. Some say Hopoe, a companion of the goddess Hi'iaka, was the first dancer. Others believe it was Kapo'ulakina'u (Kapo), the goddess of fertility who first danced the hula.

Ancient Art of Hula Multiply so in fact, as there are several Hawaiian legends depicting its origin. One story tells of the goddess Laka giving birth to the dance at a sacred place on the island of Molokai. Another tells that the goddess Hi'iaka created the dance to appease her sister, volcano goddess Pele.

Hula shares traditional stories as well as mythology and creation tales, including those of the gods and goddesses of the islands. The power of oli lies in its “kaona” or hidden meaning. Traditionally, it was believed that words with hidden meanings might bring good or bad fortune.

1948 The hukilau, a scattered line dance created in 1948 by Jack Owens.

The Kingdom of Hawaiʻi was sovereign from 1810 until 1893, when resident American and European capitalists and landholders overthrew the monarchy. Hawaiʻi was an independent republic from 1894 until August 12, 1898, when it officially became a U.S. territory. Hawaiʻi was admitted as a U.S. state on August 21, 1959.

Hula animates history, genealogy, prophecy, and the tales of those who came before. For dancers who connect more deeply through their hula traditions, dance is just one part of the practice, which often involves stewardship of the environment.

Hawaiian culture is based around age-old legends and superstitions, ranging from traditional gods and goddesses like Maui (a demi-god who pulled up the island from the sea bed), Pele (a wicked and deceptive volcano goddess) and her sister Poliahu (a snow god).

Like many indigenous peoples, the ancient Hawaiians felt a deep connection to the aina (land), and used stories of their gods and goddesses to explain everything from lava flows to the creation of the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian folklore is full of passion, betrayal, love, and death, and are sure to astonish you.