DANCE
If you can't catch an Oahu luau, you can still see free hula shows at many Oahu hotels. Both male and female dancers practice this ancient art form, using various hula instruments, such as the uli uli (feather rattles), ipu (wooden gourd) and pu ili (bamboo sticks). These hula instruments accentuate the rhythm of the dance and help convey the stories told through choreography.There are two main forms of the hula dance. The ancient hula, or hula kahiko, is performed with powerful movements accompanied by mele (chants) and percussion instruments. The modern hula, known as hula auana, is an informal hula accompanied by song where dancers interact more closely with the audience. Both tell moving stories and both are beautiful expressions of Hawaiian culture.
You'll also find everything from modern dance to ballet in various venues on Oahu.
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