by Lucia Tarallo, copyright 2019
Did you know? Did you know that hula was banned in 1830 by none other than Ka’ahumanu…forbidden to be taught or danced throughout the island chain under pain of a heavy fine and incarceration. She was finally Christianized as Elizabeth in 1825…and then it is said succumbed to the missionary persuasion that hula was a lascivious dance and evil on all and every level.
But, I ask you this…do you think Elizabeth Ka’ahumanu, Kuhina Nui and the power behind the privilege of Ali’i Nui, the initiator of the coup that demolished the Maoli foundation and philosophy could be so easily influenced? I don’t think so…I feel that she, perhaps the savviest woman in the chiefdom, knew how to accrue mana…and whatever it took…she would side with those who made it so for her…
Her relationship with Rev. Hiram Bingham was touted to be an “unholy alliance,” in that they made it advantageous for both to be the power behind the control of the people.
Kauikeaouli tried his best to restore hula and other cultural components, but was thwarted by Kinau, the new Kuhina Nui during his reign…
So, for decades it diminished, until Kalākaua, who made a great show of it during his Jubilee. But, after his death it again diminished, with only those secluded hālau carrying the torch for its survival, still continue to change and veer from its origin…
Then in the 1970’s, the hula in its completely new form, again flourished under the impetus of the Renaissance.
Lucia Tarallo is an historian and artist with a focus on pre-European-contact Hawaiian culture.