It is obviously alive and well and, as a living thing, it is growing. For that we should all be thankful. We are seeing an evolution, more highly accelerated than most of us realize. It is exciting, even if we recognize that what is being done is a far cry from what was done in ancient Hawaii. New songs and new chants call for new motions and new steps.
New ideas lead to new styles of choreography.
Remember that there is no one around today who is familiar with what was done in the ancient times. Let's not fault the very creative and innovative kumu hula who are introducing these new steps, new rhythms, new moves, and who are, in turn teaching them to their students. Applaud them for their creativity. They should also offer a hog at the initiation ceremony, cut off a piece of its head and give it to each pupil before they partake of the rest of the feast. I can't help but feel that Laka would have smiled favorably on the kumu hula of today who are creating new steps, new motions, even new costumes, and who are taking credit for having done so.