Hula and Mele

Introduction

HULA is a performance combining dance, chant, and musical instruments to tell an important story. Hula was developed as a way to increase communication with the gods, and to retell the lineage of rulers or history of heroic events. Hula was often an effort to ensure the fertility of the land and people, and was practiced to promote continued personal and social well-being. The art of hula was believed to be a gift from the gods and all performances began with the consecration of the hula altar as part of their relationship with the divine gods.