NOT A RELIGIOUS DANCE.

Feilding Star, Volume 4, Issue 676, 7 January 1926, Page 6

NOT A RELIGIOUS DANCE.

CHURCH WILL NOT HAVE THE HULA-HULA. (Special to the Star). Honolulu, Dee. 1. A hot controversy took place here recently among members of the congregation of Kawaialmo Church, famous Hawaiian religious institution, when, the question came up as to whether the Hawaiian hula-hula should be danced on the church premises. The congregation was planning a belief social in the church's club house and the hula was suggested as one -of tlie numbers on the programme. Advocates of the dance pointed out that the hula was originally a religious dance and that there should he no objection l<> its as part o! the programme. Those who opposed if said the hula luul no place on the church premises, and finally carried their point when Pastor Akaiko Akana ruled that it should not be giVen on. the church grounds, and if “some want to present the dance,' they will have to give if somewhere else.”

The controversy rallied considerable interest- in Honolulu as the Kawaiahao Church is one of tlie oldest institutions in the islands still standing on its original site. Surrounding grass houses of another age have long since been replaced by stately edifices of a modern civic character. It was built with the help of King Kamcluuneha and given to the Hawn i inns. ( . The construction of the church was made with coral stones taken from the ocean. Recently the building was condemned as being unsafe- and is at present being reinforced. Services at the church are conducted in both Hawaiian and English languages, and visitors cram the church on Sunday evenings to hear the great choir which generally sings' without instrumental accompaniment.