King Kamehameha was the first monarch to unite the Kingdom of Hawaii. Established in 1871, this holiday remains popular in Hawaii today. Early celebrations included carnivals, fairs, and foot and horse races. Today, floral parades and hula competitions also appear. Hula is the sacred dance of Hawaii; its rhythms and motions all have specific meanings. Many hula dances tell stories from Hawaiian mythology. By practicing this sacred dance, people can grow closer to the islands and their guardian spirits. Books, videos, and other resources illustrate the beauty of hula so that you can appreciate it even if you can't watch a performance in person. Today is a good day to study hula or to read about the gods and goddesses of Hawaii. You might also enjoy exploring the Hawaiian language-one of the few indigenous languages to have a modern resurgence. |
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