Today, serious hula is everywhere in Hawaii. The dance can also be found among the mainland diaspora and other places such as Japan, Europe and Mexico. Even Hollywood has joined in— Hula Girls, this year's Japanese entry in the Academy Award's foreign language category, tells a charming tale of rural Japanese girls learning the dance. Halaus, or schools of hula, have cropped up in most Hawaiian towns, and men and women of all ages study the dance diligently. "I have my classes twice a week for each age group," Fonseca says. "It entails a lot of dedication."

Kumu hulas generally teach their students both hula kahiko (traditional hula) which involves chanting accompanied by percussion instruments, and hula ' auana (modern hula) which features songs, mainly sung in Hawaiian, and instruments such as the ukulele and guitar. Early hula kahiko costumes for women featured skirts made of kapa, or bark cloth. Men wore the skirts, too, or just a loincloth, called a malo. A lei for the head and its counterpart for the ankles and wrists—called kupe'e—were made of plants or materials such as shells and feathers. Hula ' auana emerged in the late 1800s, when international visitors introduced stringed instruments to the culture. It was at this time that the ubiquitous grass skirts came on the scene as well, though costumes for hula ' auana are often more Western in appearance—fabric tops, skirts and dresses for women, and shorts and pants for men, but with lei and kupe'e as adornments. These accessories, however, depend upon which type of dance is being performed. "In hula kahiko," says Noenoelani Zuttermeister, a kumu hula who teaches at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, "a circular lei would be worn on top of the head, whereas in hula ' auana, the dancer may affix flowers to one side of the head." The Hawaiian coconut bra has a fascinating history and cultural significance. While its origins are unclear, it developed as a Hawaiian hula costume in the early 20th century and became known worldwide through tourism promotions and popular media. Today it remains a symbol of island culture and female sexuality, though the use of the coconut bra is debated. For Hawaiians, it is an authentic part of hula dancing traditions, but it also represents cultural appropriation and commercialization for others. Another avenue where the coconut bra has found its place is in Halloween costumes. Each year, many individuals choose to dress up in costumes inspired by different cultures and themes. The Hawaiian coconut bra often makes an appearance in these costumes, representing the fun and vibrant spirit of the islands. While some may argue that these costumes can perpetuate stereotypes or cultural appropriation, others view it as a celebration and appreciation of Hawaiian culture. It is essential to approach these costumes with respect and understanding, recognizing the cultural significance behind them. Cultural Appropriation Debates

The Coconut Bra in Pop Culture

For many tourists visiting Hawaii, the coconut bra has become a popular souvenir. It represents the vibrant and exotic culture of the islands, and wearing one can be a fun and playful way to embrace the Hawaiian spirit. However, it’s important to note that these tourist souvenirs may not always adhere to the traditional craftsmanship or cultural significance of the authentic coconut bras used in hula performances.

The whole arrangement and process of their old hulas were designed to promote lasciviousness, and of course the practice of them could not flourish in modest communities,” Bingham wrote.

Coconut Bras Today: Authentic Hula and Curiosities

The coconut bra, also known as the “halau niu,” holds a significant place in Hawaiian culture and history. While it is often associated with hula performances, it has also become a popular souvenir and even a curiosity for tourists. Let’s explore the various ways coconut bras are used today and the cultural significance they hold. Usage in Hula Performances

This Effect not only is commonly remembered by large groups of people but also has the unique distinction of having both eyewitness testimony from people involved with the film’s production, including one of the Animators, numerous photos from Disneyland Parades, and merchandise.

Probably the first article of clothing ever used by humans, the grass skirt keeps playing a prominent role in summer time fancy dress. Who wouldn’t want to wear one? From shaking it in a crazy hula dance on the beach, and experiencing the freedom only a grass skirt can give you. The votes are in and “Baloo’s missing coconut bra” from The Jungle Book is the 2019 Effect of the year. It’s not uncommon to find coconut bras in gift shops, alongside other Hawaiian-themed items like leis and grass skirts. They have become a quirky and light-hearted symbol of the Hawaiian experience. Some people even collect coconut bras as part of their novelty item collections, adding to the kitsch factor associated with these unique garments. DIY Coconut Bras The use of the coconut bra has sparked debates surrounding cultural appropriation. Some argue that wearing the coconut bra as a fashion statement without understanding its cultural context can be disrespectful and offensive. It is crucial to recognize that the coconut bra has deep cultural significance in Hawaiian traditions, often associated with hula dancing and storytelling. Engaging in conversations about cultural appropriation allows us to better understand the origins and meaning behind cultural symbols like the coconut bra, fostering a more inclusive and respectful society. Coconut Bras Today: Authentic Hula and Curiosities It wasn’t until the 1960s that Native Hawaiians were able to reclaim their identity and differentiate it from the tourism-born one that had spread rampant around the world. In 1964, the hula competition Merrie Monarch Festival was founded, and 1970 brought a strong cultural movement, the Second Hawaiian Renaissance, that sparked renewed interest in the Hawaiian language and other customs.

But while hula historically has involved a merging of different cultural forms, kumu hulas of today want blending stopped. Rather than integrate Japanese or, say, Mexican dance traditions with Hawaiian hula in Tokyo or Mexico City, Fonseca says hula must be kept pure, wherever it is performed. "It's up to us teachers to stress that where we come from is important," he says. Zuttermeister strongly agrees: "If the link is not maintained as it should, then we're not passing on something that is hula and we're not being true to our culture." The coconut bra is not just a fashion accessory; it holds deep cultural meanings in the Hawaiian tradition. It has been a significant part of the Polynesian culture for centuries and continues to symbolize various aspects of Hawaiian identity. Let’s explore some of the cultural meanings associated with the iconic coconut bra. Symbol of Female Sexuality As Native Hawaiians were silenced, Hawaii was being molded into a marketing campaign that created a fictional paradise appealing enough for travelers to cross the Pacific to see. “What better way to sell Hawaii than with a scantily clad Hawaiian woman waiting to welcome you,” I’m sure must have crossed someone’s lips, because magazines, newspapers and advertisements in the early 20th century were flooded with images of hula girls. For many of us, hula conjures up visions of slender Hawaiian women in leafy skirts, coconut bras and plastic leis. Think Blue Hawaii, a 1961 Elvis movie, or the Brady Bunch's ill-fated trip to the islands, complete with a Tiki curse and Alice in a grass skirt.More than a century of exploitation of Native Hawaiian culture for the visitor industry feels impossible to reverse, and the sexualization of Hawaiian women is one shameful aspect of it. Under the influence of the missionaries, Queen Regent Kaahumanu abolished traditional practices, including public performances of hula, in 1830. Instead, it was practiced in private settings among families who refused to let the traditions die. Fittingly, hula is strongly associated with family tradition. Both Fonseca and Zuttermeister come from hula-focused families: Fonseca's grandmother was a hula performer in the 1930s, and Zuttermeister's mother taught the dance. Perhaps the best example of a hula dynasty in action is Aloha Dalire, a kumu hula from the town of Heeia on Oahu and the first winner of the Miss Aloha Hula title at the famed Merrie Monarch festival. This weeklong event sponsoring three days of hula competition has been called the "Olympics of hula." The dance's best and brightest compete, and the contests are so popular they're televised live in Hawaii.