Traditions

The “grass skirt” The Image Everyone Knows Close your eyes and picture a hula dancer. You see it, right? The swaying hips, the flower lei, and that skirt. Thousands of golden strands cascading with every movement. The image is so embedded in global consciousness that it might as well be a universal symbol for the…

You’ve watched the hula dancers tell their stories through hands that move like waves and feet that barely whisper across the stage. The music has been soft, melodic, carrying you through generations of Hawaiian history. Then something shifts. The drums get louder. Faster. The gentle ukulele fades. A single figure emerges holding a blade longer…

Have you ever watched a hula dancer glide across the stage and wondered about the deeper meaning behind their flowing attire? At Pā’ina Waikīkī, where the vibrant stories of Waikiki’s legendary eras come to life through festive mele and the highest caliber of Polynesian performing arts, every element of a Hawaiian dance outfit tells a…

The torches flicker as the sun dips behind Diamond Head, and the grounds of Waikīkī Beach Marriott transform. This is when Hawaiian dancers, known as hula dancers or ‘ōlapa in ancient times, step forward to share stories that have moved through generations like waves across the Pacific. At Pā’ina Waikīkī Luau, where the vibrant stories…

Where History and Celebration Meet Picture this: you’ve spent your day exploring Waikiki’s beaches, shopping, and sightseeing. As evening approaches, you’re searching for something more: an experience that captures the true spirit of Hawaii. This search for authenticity is what brings thoughtful travelers to discover that the best luau on Oahu isn’t always the biggest…