It was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. The hula dramatizes or portrays the words of the oli or mele in a visual dance form.

When did hula become popular?

As it had done ever since its beginnings, hula continued to evolve during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. From as early as 1865, the style called hula ku`i (joined hula), blending native and foreign elements, became popular.

Why was the hula dance created?

Originally, the Hula dance was developed as part of the religious traditions of the Pacific Islands, and is in some ways historically linked to Asian dancing. The full name of the traditional form was Hula Kahiko and it was used to honor and entertain the chiefs, especially when they traveled from place to place.