Some of the most seemingly-ordinary items that we encounter in our everyday lives actually have extraordinary histories tied to them. Case in point, the humble hula hoop. For millennia, people have been using hoops for all kinds of different purposes. Evidence for hoop-like toys dates as far back as Ancient Egypt, while “medicinal” uses of hoops can be traced to Medieval England. Many Native American tribes have different types of “hoop dances,” with those traditions continuing to evolve over time.
And then there’s the hula hoop itself. We imagine hula hoops as a distinctly 1950s craze, but the name actually dates back to 19th century British sailors likening the hip movements used to move said hoops to hula movements in Hawaiian luaus.
But what if you want to take a step back in time and experience authentic hula and luau history for yourself? If that’s the case, you’ll want to try a fine dinner and a show with and without hula hoops in Hawaii.
Classical Luau
As stated above, hula hoops as we know them today are actually a bit of a later invention. You’ll definitely want to set aside on your Hawaiian vacation to see classical luau in action. Hula kahiko dances – dating before 1894 and the cultural changes that came at that time – provide an unmissable window into Hawaii’s past.
Modern Luau
Of course, luau, hula and, yes, even hula hoops are still very much part of Hawaii’s present. Modern hula dances embrace everything from rock and roll to pop influenced choreography to those aforementioned hula hoops on occasion. It’s an incredible blend of tradition and innovation, and this makes luaus that feature them all the more amazing.
For hula styles both old and new, with and without hoops, you’ll want to pay a visit to Germaine’s Luau and discover Hawaii’s rich culture for yourself.
