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Early Photography of Hula

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Welcome to our collection of early photography of hula. It was entirely predictable that the missionaries would mistake the languid grace and reverent spirit of the dance for a lascivious come-on, much as Hawai’i’s persona has long been construed by outsiders as that of a temptress. Given this rift of misunderstanding, it’s no surprise that hula has become a potent icon of the Hawaiian Renaissance.

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I leʻa ka hula i ka hoʻopaʻa. – The hula is pleasing because of the drummer. (The little details that one overlooks are just as important as the big ones. Although the attention is focused on the dancer, the drummer and chanter also have play an important roles in hula.)

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