As you visit Hawaii you would find a very unique dance called the Hula. This dance is the soul of the island, although its exact history is not known even by Hawaiians. Polynesians who came to Hawaii many years ago developed it. Originally the hula was a religious dance done to the gods but eventually through the years this custom changed and everyone could now dance the hula.

The original Hawaiian hula, which is called kahiko, is a dance accompanied by chanting and traditional instruments. Because of Western influences a new form of hula was developed which is the auna. This type of hula is a dance done with songs and western style instruments.

Whichever type of hula you encounter, joining a hula dance is fun. Every movement tells a particular story. The basic steps involved are the kahola to the right and left, the tree position and the aloha position. In the kahola to the right position, the dancer extends their right arm with palms down and their left arm is extended to the center of their body with their palms down. The kahola to the left is done the opposite way as kahola to the right.

Hulas are often done at luaus and other festivities. Hula dancers often wear bright shirts and grass skirts. Many tourists come to Hawaii to witness pretty ladies in their grass skirts dancing the hula. Whichever island in Hawaii you visit you would surely see plenty of hulas dancing. Try doing some of the hula moves when you encounter a hula dancing and join in the fun.