Hawaii is known for its hula dancing, luaus, leis and other widely commercialized aspects of the culture. But a lesser-known tradition is giving a voice to people who may feel like they don’t belong.

Among the featured kumu hula and their halau are Sonny Ching, left, and Lopaka Igarta with Halau Hula na Mamo o Pu‘uanahulu. The pair are pictured at the 38th annual Prince Lot Hula Festival leaving ...