Authentic Hula in 1919

If you tour the Abernethy-Shaw House this April you may encounter our house guest Joan practicing the authentic Hula.  The Hula is far more than just a dance form - it's a sophisticated system of cultural preservation and storytelling that has evolved over centuries. 

1919 was a particularly significant year for Hawaiian cultural practices, especially hula, as it marked the passing of Queen Liliuokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii, who died in 1917. By 1919, Hawaiian culture was experiencing intense pressure from Americanization policies that had been growing since the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893.

After the overthrow and subsequent annexation by the United States in 1898, there was a systematic attempt to suppress Hawaiian language and cultural practices. Schools prohibited children from speaking Hawaiian, and traditional practices were often discouraged or relegated to tourist entertainment. The year 1919 specifically saw the passage of additional English language requirements in Hawaiian schools, further threatening the transmission of traditional knowledge that was crucial for hula's survival.

However, 1919 also marked an important turning point in the preservation of Hawaiian culture. Helen Desha Beamer, a renowned Hawaiian musician and hula teacher, began formally documenting traditional hula movements and chants during this period. This was crucial because hula, being an oral and physical tradition, had previously been passed down primarily through direct teaching. Beamer's work helped ensure that these traditions would survive even as the traditional teaching systems were under threat.

The tourist industry was also beginning to shape hula during this time. By 1919, the Moana Hotel and other Waikiki establishments were regularly featuring hula performances for visitors. This had a double-edged effect: while it provided some economic opportunities for Hawaiian dancers and helped maintain interest in the art form, it also led to simplified, commercialized versions of traditional dances that sometimes strayed from their sacred origins.

Another significant development around 1919 was the growing resistance to cultural suppression among Native Hawaiians. Secret hālau (hula schools) continued to operate, maintaining traditional practices away from public view. These schools became crucial centers of cultural resistance, preserving not just the dance movements but also the deep cultural knowledge embedded in hula traditions.

The period also saw the emergence of the Hawaiian Renaissance's early roots, though the movement wouldn't fully develop until decades later. Hawaiian musicians and composers were creating new mele (songs) that preserved traditional stories and values while adapting to contemporary circumstances. This adaptation would prove crucial for hula's survival through the 20th century.

Details: The History of Hula

The origins of hula trace back to ancient Hawaii, where it served as a sacred practice intimately connected to Hawaiian religious ceremonies and cultural preservation. According to Hawaiian tradition, the goddess Laka is considered the divine keeper of the hula, and traditional hālau hula (hula schools) still maintain altars in her honor.

Originally, hula was performed in two distinct styles. The first, hula kahiko, is the ancient form performed with traditional instruments like the ipu (gourd drum) and pahu (sharkskin drum). These dances often honored chiefs, gods, and celebrated significant natural phenomena. The movements in hula kahiko are precise and powerful, with each gesture carrying specific meaning in the complex language of Hawaiian dance.

The second style, hula 'auana, emerged in the 19th century. This modern form typically features softer movements and accompaniment by Western instruments like guitars and ukuleles. While more fluid and entertainment-oriented than its ancient counterpart, hula 'auana still maintains the fundamental purpose of storytelling through movement.

A pivotal moment in hula history came in 1819 when Queen Ka'ahumanu, following the death of King Kamehameha I, ordered the destruction of heiau (temples) and banned public hula performances due to Christian influence. This forced hula underground, where it was preserved in secret by dedicated practitioners who understood its crucial role in maintaining Hawaiian cultural knowledge.

The practice remained largely suppressed until King David Kalākaua, known as the "Merrie Monarch," came to power in 1874. He actively encouraged the revival of traditional Hawaiian arts, including hula, famously declaring "Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people." The annual Merrie Monarch Festival, established in his honor in 1963, remains the world's premier hula competition and a celebration of Hawaiian cultural preservation.

Throughout the 20th century, hula faced both commercialization and a powerful cultural renaissance. While tourist-oriented performances sometimes presented simplified versions of the dance, dedicated kumu hula (hula masters) maintained the integrity of traditional practices through strict training protocols and careful transmission of ancient knowledge.

Today, authentic hula continues to be taught in hālau according to traditional protocols. Students learn not just dance steps, but also the Hawaiian language, proper gathering and preparation of traditional costumes and implements, and the deep cultural and spiritual significance of each movement and chant. This comprehensive education ensures that hula remains what it has always been - a living archive of Hawaiian history, values, and worldview.