Traditional hula has survived through many cultural eras and has been carried on as an art form. Traditional hula has influenced Japanese culture and has been able to bring the Japanese and Hawaiian cultures together. For example, in 2004 a Japanese hula halau preformed in the Merrie Monarch Festival with a Hawaiian halau for the first time. Japanese halau have continued to perform in the Merrie Monarch Festival. Though only halau from the mainland U.S. and the Hawaiian Islands compete in the Merrie Monarch Festival. My research will show that traditional hula is an international form of dance that has the power to bring cultures together.