One of the most exotic images of Hawaii is the hula dancer and it's no small wonder that the advertising companies used this on so many tourist posters.
These advertising airline posters for Pan American appeared in the late 1940's and the inviting scene of a carefree wahine dancing, waving and beckoning lured one to immediately hop on a plane - well, the clipper in those days - and escape...
The hula girl is everything the tropical inspired male dreams of: she is unencumbered by clothes and unconcerned about it, she dances with total revere, she is willing and uncomplicated. She is the symbol of feminine warmth and passion and she brings home a little exotic fun. In an exquisite motion of arms, hands, bellies and hips, bodies twisting, undulating and swaying the participants and audience are transported into a dream of pure freedom.
In the Hawaiian hula the hands plays the greatest part. Tourists at hula shows are told to watch the hands and follow the story that is being told ... of course, nobody does.
Hula art can bring home some tropical warmth and a piece of paradise still very much alive in the islands today. It would create the perfect atmosphere for a tiki bar or simply add a little island style flair to any home.