The History of Hula Hoops in Hawaii
Hula hoops have provided fun for generations, but they have been around for much longer than that.
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History of the Name
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Sailors gave the hula hoop its "hula" when they landed in Hawaii. They were struck by the similarity between the movements of the hula dancers and the movement needed to keep a hula hoop going.
Time Frame
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Hula hoops have been around in one form or another for at least 3,000 years. It was in the 19th century that sailors in Hawaii gave the hula hoop its name. In the 1950s, a hula hoop craze swept the United States.
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Types
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Since the 1950s, hula hoops have primarily been made of colored plastic. Before that, they had been made of wood or bamboo. In the beginning, hula hoops were made out of grass and other plants.
Tiki Collectibles
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After World War II, military personnel stationed in Hawaii brought back Hawaiian memorabilia. Hawaiian-themed stores and restaurants began to open on the mainland, coinciding with the hula hoop craze that was sweeping the nation.
Geography
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Along with the United States, hula hoops have been popular in Greece, Egypt and Australia.
Conclusion
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Although its craze in the United States was short-lived, hula hoops have been a source of entertainment for children for years.
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