Traveler Magazine Andrew Harper Traveler Summer 2019 | Page 20

18
S to ry te ll in g
T h ro u g h S o n g
& Dance
The image of a hula dancer in a grass skirt
swaying her hands and hips while chanting
mele is the ubiquitous symbol of Hawaiian
culture, and for good reason. The ancient
dance has religious roots; it was once a
male-only spiritual dance that has come to
be performed by anyone seeking a moment
of joy. Over the years, Hawaiians have worked
to preserve the native dance, referred to by
many as the “heartbeat of Hawaii.” It’s now
performed at luaus and taught in dance
schools for residents and tourists alike.
Rather than simply observe, today’s travelers
want an immersive experience, and many
hotels have taken note. Four Seasons Resort
Lanai, for example, offers ukulele, lei-making
and hula lessons for guests of all ages. And to
honor Hawaiians’ respect for their elders, a
tradition likely reflecting the considerable
Asian influence throughout the islands, the
Four Seasons’ complimentary “Hoopika”
(meaning “hospitality”) cultural program offers
insights into the knowledge of the revered
elders with interactive lessons on “oral history,
age-old customs and traditional art.”
Fire knife dancing is another tradition
that won’t be extinguished soon. The ancient
Samoan war dance, used to boost warriors’
morale before battle, is one better observed
than attempted. Lucky for us, luaus still
feature the mesmerizing dance that often
combines acrobatic feats with machete-
tossing mastery. Study the best fire twirlers
in the world every May at the annual World
Fireknife Championship at the Polynesian
Cultural Center in Honolulu—it’s no surprise
that a native Hawaiian usually wins.
SUMMER | 2019
PARTNER’S POV
“
American Excursionist does its due diligence to secure a team
of authentic local hosts on each island, to ensure its travelers
experience unforgettable embraces of Hawaiian culture
which can only be genuinely provided by the people of Hawaii
personally sharing their places with visitors.”
DANIEL RAMOS
A M E R I CA N E XC U R S I O N I ST
C O N TACT YO U R T R AV E L A DV I S O R TO DAY