Hawaiian legend says that this dance, originally a sacred ritual, was created by the younger volcano
Kala to please his sister,
Pele. Over the years its varied interpretation also served to please the
sailorsvisiting the islands. This did not please resident
missionaries, who promptly banned the dance. Despite this, the dance stuck around, and eventually became known as the traditional dance of Hawaii. Dancers interpret
stories by the use of arms, hands and facial expression, not to mention much undulation of the hips.