The hula began as a means of worship and evolved into a way of telling stories with mele (chants), hands, and body movements. There are two types of hula – hula ‘auana or modern hula uses musical instruments and vocals to augment the dancer. The original or old style of hula is known as hula kahiko, which includes chants and percussion only. It takes years of training, requires intense concentration, and is physically demanding. Modern hula came about when Westerners who came to Hawaii found the original hula distasteful.
Cite: O’ahu Revealed by Andrew Doughty