Our Hālau
The Hālau Hula has existed for centuries as the sacred space for the formal teachings of Hawaiian dance and culture. Where Kumu (teacher) and haumāna (student) come together to preserve and perpetuate the culture of hula. It is a physical space but more importantly it is a place where mind, body, and spirit are aligned and nourished. That hālau have existed throughout the generations proves the values and lessons promoted there are timeless and useful to our community and to others.
Student’s perspectives:
“Hālau is my ʻohana. In addition to all the teaching it provides a safe and welcoming place where I feel completely supported.”
“Hālau is a place where aloha lives. This aloha is a necessary part of always feeling accepted & supported. And treating ourselves & others with patience & kindness. It is a place to be that fills us with a purpose bigger than ourselves. Even when we think our value is small, in hālau we are treated as important. This is beneficial to our mental health.”
“I feel connected with others who have similar values, purpose and also face similar struggles.” “Hālau has consistently supported my mental health by creating a safe space to connect in sisterhood and explore different parts of my personal identity and my connection to the land and culture I live in.”
“Hālau helps me feel connected to my community and during this past year with so much isolation due to Covid, it has helped me feel not alone via zoom.”
“Hālau creates time to reflect and concentrate on yourself. In all the stresses of life, we take time to pause, chant, learn, and live with a sisterhood.”
“Kumu/teachers are so much more than that. They are family and treat everyone in hālau as that.”“This year I have been exposed to many opportunities in various aspects, gained a deeper meaning of life, became more aware of who I was as a person, my family history, and the past and present occurrences of Hawai’i, my home. Halau is an amazing place to escape to when you’re feeling stressed or maybe even a little lost... there is something special about being with your hula sisters and kumu, I plan to be part of Hālau for a very long time.”
“Hālau provides mental clarity through protocol and routine. It offers a break from the daily toll and support by peers while remaining in a positive environment.”
“Hālau has been a place of safety for me and my children. We are always welcomed and supported by our Kumu and fellow haumāna. Just knowing that the hālau is there for my family gives me a sense of security, a safe space.”
“It’s a place of no judgement. We are able to freely share any triumphs or trials that we are experiencing and I always feel supported by the Kumu and the other students.”
“It has taught me more about my culture and myself as a Hawaiian.”
“As a Kupuna (elder) there were numerous times hula was the only exercise available for me and exercising stabilizes my mental condition. Being part of Hālau forms a bond of sisterhood. All my siblings and my husband have passed on. Mentally, physically, and emotionally, Hālau was my garden that I could go to, to grow, plant, and watch other plants grow.. as my Kumu became the masters of our gardens. This Hālau was and is, part of MY culture, my lifeline of growing. My Kumu and hula sisters walked with me though the most amazing and beautifully gifted moments to my darkest saddest times of sorrowful season. I cannot imagine what, where, how I would be without the support of this Hālau.”
