What is the difference between Kahiko and contemporary hula?
Kahiko is the Hawaiian traditional hula dance. It is sung in a chant (oli) and on traditional instruments such as the Pahu drum, Pu’ili and Uli Uli. Kahiko is about telling stories, prayer, and reverence for gods, the earth, and the ancestors. On the contrary, contemporary hula, called Auana, employs contemporary music, tools and freer, less choreographed moves. Both styles play significant roles in Hawaiian culture, but Kahiko preserves the old practices of hula and is still performed in cultural and ceremonial contexts.