Defining a Nation With Hula's Hands

"King Kalākaua saw hula as a way to reinforce Hawaiian nationhood"

(Hale qtd. in Hix, 2017).

The years between Hawai'i's first western contact in 1778 and the illegal overthrow of its independent monarchy in 1893 saw increased pressure from missionary leaders to band hula. While missionaries lacked the ability to enact laws, they remained relentless in their efforts to permanently end hula. In 1851, an "Act to Provide for the License of Public Shows" passed the Hawaiian Kingdom legislature requiring a license for any "public show, theatrical, equestrian, or other exhibitions of any description" that charged admission. Penalties included arrest and fines up to $500 (Napoleon, 2006). By 1857, the all-missionary Hawaiian Evangelical Association pursued legal restrictions, finding support from newspaper editorials calling for a legal ban on hula (Silva, 2000, p. 33).

During his reign, Kalākaua composed mele using western string instrumentation such as the guitar and ukulele. Combining this new music arrangement style with hula movement, the hula ku'i (lit. to join) found popularity, resurfacing during the 1870s. Kalākaua's hand-selected court dancers and glee club, Hui Lei Mamo became a customary part of royal events and were featured during his 1883 pono￭ mo'i (coronation). In this way, Kalākaua applied the cultural practice of hula as a way to preserve self-determination of his beloved kingdom.

Sources:

Hix, L. (2017, March 22). How America’s Obsession With Hula Girls Almost Wrecked Hawai'i. Collectors Weekly. https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/how-americas-obsession- with-hula-girls-almost-wrecked-hawaii/ ● Napoleon, N. N. (2006). starbulletin.com | Features | /2006/04/16/. Archives.starbulletin.com; Honolulu Star-Bulletin. http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/04/16/features/story01.html ● Silva, N. K. (2000). The Political Economy of Banning the Hula. The Hawaiian Journal of History, 34(n.i), 29–48. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/5014615.pdf ● Photo: Kalākaua's 49th birthday event, c.1885. Edward Arning (Hawaii State Archives).