Hawaiian Traditions

The Hula
The hula is a beautiful flowing Hawaiian dance that tells a story. The music is comprised of repetitive chants, called mele, either alone or combined with music. The hula began in ancient Hawaii as a form of worship. The musical instruments were often made of gourds, coconuts, or logs covered with shark-skin membrane - and of course, the ukelele. The hand and leg movement combined with facial expressions and the dance itself tell the story of the hula. The hula survives today through study, competitions, shows, and the dances for the visitors enjoyment.

1999 Merrie Monarch Hula Competition Photos






The Luau
The Luau is known as the Hawaiian barbecue - for good reason. It is normally a large party where the main course is Kalua pig - a whole pig steamed in an imu (underground oven). You will also find pupus (hawaiian appetizers), laulaus (meat, normally pork, cooked inside ti leaves), limu (seaweed), lomi-lomi salmon (salmon cooked with tomato and onion), and haupia (coconut and pineapple pudding).




Lei-giving
Leis have many meanings and uses; the maile lei is the traditional offering to Laka, goddess of the dance, which is one of the reasons the hula dancers are so adorned with them. Leis are given to people arriving and leaving Hawaii meaning love, or friendship. Leis are used in worship or to mark special achievements like graduations, weddings, anniversaries. Leis can be made with flowers, leaves, shells, feathers, seeds, ivory and animal teeth. They can be braided, woven, plaited, knotted, winded, sewed, or tied.