After spending a week,
I came back from Hawaii last weekend. 
My darling had a responsibility to take care of
his students studying in the University of Hawaii.
Therefore, we sometimes visited the university.
One day, we had a chance to participate
in Hula dance workshop with the students. 
The photo below is dancing Hula
by a native Hawaiian teacher.
▲ Click here to see the expansion ↑
I got her permission and put it here.
In this workshop, we learned Hula and Hawaiian culture
including the native language and its history.
According to the teacher,
there is a sad history for native Hawaiian people. 
That is the "History of Invasion".
In her grandmother's generation,
It was banned to dance Hula and speak Hawaiian language.
Do you know why
Currently, Hawaii is a part of the United States.
But it used to be the kingdom ruled
by the native Hawaiian king.
More than 200 years ago, an English captain
called James Cook discovered Hawaii.
After that, lots of people from Europe
and American started to live there. 
Then when missionaries saw Hula
they thought it was a sensual dance.
Therefore, they prohibited it.
Hawaiian language was also banned and
English was forced to speak at school. 
The Hura teacher said to us,
"We can dance Hura and speak Hawaiian now
because my grandmother and our ancestors
tried to protect our culture in the harsh condition,
Please remember to respect your ancestors
and protect your own culture." 
When you dance Hura, you need to smile.
Within the beautiful smile, I felt the vitality
of native Hawaiians who lived hard lives.
Have you ever danced Hula? 
