Academy of Hawaiian Arts Wahine Kahiko 2015

Check out this amazing kahiko performed by the wahine from the Academy of Hawaiian Arts at the 2015 Merrie Monarch Festival!

Of the 2 main types of hula, Hula Kahiko is performed without modern instruments, using instead the oli (chant) by the kumu hula (hula master) and traditional instrumentation.

Traditionally it is a male dance, but centuries ago women were introduced when the islands were at war and the men were away defending their kingdoms.