Hawai‘i is the best place in the world to experience the Hawaiian art of hula, which, for many practitioners, is a skill shaped by years of practice and knowledge passed and perpetuated through generations. Some of the best places to discover hula’s beauty and significance  to the Hawaiian culture are at festivals and competitions.

Kaua‘i
Mokihana Festival’s weeklong Hawaiian cultural celebration each September spotlights the arts, traditions and skills of Hawai‘i’s indigenous culture through music, language, educational opportunities, interactive activities and, of course, hula. Its popular hula competition welcomes talented island hālau hula (hula schools) for public performances in hula kahiko (traditional hula) and hula ‘auana (modern hula) styles. The festival also features hula workshops and a local artisan craft fair.

O‘ahu
The Prince Lot Hula Festival is one of the state’s largest non-competitive hula gatherings and showcases invited hālau hula from across the Hawaiian Islands for outdoor performances open to the public. The Return of Kapaemahu Hula Show and Kūhiō Beach Hula Show are held weekly in Waikīkī, featuring talented hālau hula and hula practitioners in free, public performances that showcase Hawaiian dance and culture on the beach’s hula mound at sunset.

Maui
Festivals of Aloha is an annual celebration of Hawaiian culture and traditions, featuring parades, concerts, local food and artisan craft markets, as well as performances from hālau hula on Maui, Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. Also held annually, the Hula O Nā Keiki competition features keiki (children) haumāa hula (hula students), ages six through 17, in a celebration of their dedication to the dance and education in Hawaiian traditions and customs. Dancers in the competition honor the mele (songs) of Maui.