TRI DUC ENGLISH Reading Practice: Hula Dancing in Hawaiian Culture   Many people dream of visiting the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. Mention of this Pacific paradise evokes images of women in grass skirts swaying their hips as they perform graceful island dances for the benefit of tourists. Although this image is a common stereotype of Hawaii, it has its roots in a real tradition that continues to play an important role in Hawaiian culture. Hula dancing has always been part of Hawaiian life. Hawaiian mythology includes various stories that explain the origins of hula, each story attributing its creation to a different god or goddess and its first appearance to a different location. In reality, hula dancing is such an ancient tradition that it is impossible to say when or where it first appeared. It was most likely originally performed in front of an altar in honor of gods and accompanied by great ritual. It is a common belief that the ancient hula was danced only by men, but some scholars point to evidence suggesting that hula was traditionally danced by both men and women. The English explorer Captain James Cook’s visit to the islands in the eighteenth century caused many changes to Hawaiian society as a result of the contact with European culture. Although hula did not completely disappear after contact, it was discouraged. King David Kalakaua is credited with reviving hula dancing during his reign in the late nineteenth century. He was interested in reestablishing lost traditions, and hula was performed at celebrations held in his honor. In the 1960s, a Hawaiian cultural festival was established as part of an effort to attract more tourists to the islands. A major part of this festival consisted of hula competitions, which were organized into categories of hula kahiko , or hula danced in the ancient style, and hula auana , or modern hula. This festival, called the Merrie Monarch Festival in honor of King David Kalakaua, has become a major annual cultural event. The hula competition is a central part of the festival and has had a significant influence on modern hula dancing. Hula continues to be danced in both the ancient and modern styles. Traditional hula is an energetic dance performed to the accompaniment of chants and the beating of drums. The dancers wear traditional costumes consisting of garland...