Hula is a dance form developed by the Polynesians who originally settled in the Hawaiian Islands. Hula is accompanied by a chant or song known as a mele. The hula tells the story of the mele.

There are two styles of hula, old-style hula as performed before the Western encounters with Hawai'i is called kahiko. It is a religious dance meant to worship the gods of Hawai'i, accompanied by chant and traditional percussion instruments. Hula as it evolved under Western influence is call 'auana. It is accompanied by song and musical instruments such as guitar, bass and ukulele. Modern hulas tell stories of native flowers, shells and legends, as well as celebrate love and aloha.