Telling Warrior Stories with Hula

A common misconception about hula is that it's a dance tradition strictly for women. Nope. In ancient Hawai'i, men were the first to dance hula, and the best dancers were even chosen to become warriors. Today, Ke Kai O Kahiki—one of Hawai'i's most famous male hula schools—is carrying on this tradition by telling warrior stories with dance. To do so, dancers train in the same way as their ancient forbearers, using the land itself as a harsh and unforgiving gym. To dance like a warrior, you need to train like one.

This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.

[Fujjums]

Good choice talking with Ke Kai o Kahiki when discussing the more "rugged" side of hula, this are probably some of the most athletically well trained dancers at Merrie Monarch. Need look no further than their win in 2009 to prove that!

[missmex]

I love the respect these men hold for their culture. amazing.

[beckygould]

Proof that true masculinity is beautiful. Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders are some of the most beautiful people on earth. Male hula dancers telling stories of warriors, hunters fishermen. Both the men and women depicting stories of Hawaii’s origins, the deities they once worshipped, live and marriage. These dances show off the beauty of masculinity! It is wonderful that the Hawaiian people are able to celebrate their beautiful culture! That they celebrate both the masculine and the feminine! One can be both powerful and graceful, can be strong as well as gentle, celebrating both the beauty and strength of men! And using the gift of hula to not only preserve and share in their culture, but to be better men and better people! Mahalo for sharing this with us ! Aloha, and A hui ho !

[jasminnemcdonaldA]

Hula dancing is not just swaying the hips side to side. It's an art that tells a story of Hawaiians throughout history.

[okolei]

Mahalo nui for this great video! I love these short documentaries and to see one that respects my culture is amazing.

[kevin]

I'm bisexual.. I have a masculine side who likes action, martial arts, gym, training and all that traditonal manliness because I kinda like doing it.. however I happen to have a liking with hula dancing.. yes, those traditional women hula dancing always grab my attention that for some reason I kinda want to do it too lol.. maybe i'll try the male version of hula so as to complement both my masculine and feminine sides

[mellory]

Just looking at this I can just feel my knees hurting

[HaventheDemoness-vylx]

This reminds me so much of the Maori haka war dance

[Goatease]

Respect from da big island! 🤙🏾 Nice to see dat der isnt no racist 😅

[Fumi]

One of my co-workers is in a very involved halau and he's buff because he does these kinds of things. When people ask him how he looks so good, some of them are confused when he just says "hula".

[myicecream]

hawaiian people and their connection with their culture amazes me, they take such time and dedication for their culture.

[ashleemcintosh]

When their teacher talked about how hula is shaping them to be "better fathers, sons and brothers" it got to me.

This is what true maniless is. It's the strength with the gentleness, determination coupled with grace. Not the silly how-many-girls-can-I-get definition that society is freeding young men.

[sz]

nothing but respect and admiration for these men

[OrisStories]

These are the most beautiful men I've ever seen in my life. Lord almighty.

[zahralem]

there's something about native men/and polynesian men that is so attractive. They are just to beautiful

[jaiyapapaya]

This is fabulous in the manliest way possible.

[arcie]

The amount of athleticism in this video is insane

[Sugarcreampuff]

I was fortunate to meet these guys last week! Such polite, brave and nice group of men! Very skilled and graceful!

[tpikake]

Such a great video showing the masculine side of hula. Others can now see it ain't just women in coconut bras and grass skirts and what they see advertised. I use to help my aunty instruct hula lessons and Olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language) in Waikiki. Admission was free. She did it for the love it all and wanted to give foreigners who were interested a sneak peak at our Hawaiian culture. I can't count the many baffled faces I've seen. People don't know that Hawaii is much more than another tourist spot and our Hawaiian culture is not just big tanned guys and women with long hair. Hula especially is much more than what people see in pictures, books, or tv. If your interested in learning the dance of hula, you must learn the language and culture first. You must learn what you're singing/chanting before you learn the steps of the any song. The dances and chants you see are stories. Stories passed down by ancestors. This is how our Hawaiian and all Polynesian cultures lives on. We are not as big of a nation but our pride, dedication, and courage is what keeps our culture so pure and strong.

[boussolefire]

I remember watching my grandmother climbing a coconut tree when I was small. She was 70