What do I wear?

 

Be comfortable!  Anything you would wear to Yoga, or exercise class is fine.  If you wish, you may purchase (or sew) a Pau or wear a Pareo.  These are not required.  If you wish to wear a swimsuit at the beach class, please wear some type of swim cover around hips.

 

Amazon and Etsy sell Pau’ Skirts and Pareo (Sarong), but once you are committed to dance you may want to upgrade or make your own. There are many options, these are the most popular in Hawaii:  Aloha Hula Supply and Aloha Outlet.

 

Do men Hula?

 

ABSOLUTELY!  Men compete in Merrie Monarch and there are as many men Kumu Hula in Hawaii as there are women.  Some of my favorite teachers have been men.  If you (or the person you are trying to convenience) need proof, see the links on this site!   

 

Can Non-Hawaiians study Hula?

 

Yes.. Hula is practiced all over the world.  In Japan there may even be more Hula Halaus than in Hawaii.  There are even online Zoom opportunities to learn, and many opportunities to learn (both good and bad techniques) on platforms like Youtube and Facebook. 

 

Whether you study in person or online, strive to learn about the culture, and in that way, you are honoring the culture and respecting what the Hawaiians are trying to preserve. 

 

Do you wear a coconut bra?

 

Coconut bras are not Hawaiian, but Tahitian.  Just as a fire knife and grass skirt also belong to other Polynesian islands.   But sure to share this information… because you will be asked “where is your coconut bra and grass skirt”!

 

           "Hawaii takes aim at inauthentic island icons" - Read article

 

What is a Kumu and what is the difference between a Kumu and a Hula instructor/teacher?

 

Most people who live outside Hawai’i have not heard the term Kumu.  Some will tell you it means a teacher of Hula, but it has a deeper cultural meaning.  It’s important to know the distinction. 

 

The formal title of Kumu Hula is always related to a specific Halua.   A traditional Halua is one where the student is invited to learn by a Kumu (master of Hula), and knowledge of Hula is passed down based on the genealogy or lineage of that Kumu.  Knowledge extends far beyond the movements of dance, into language, chanting, importance of flowers/materials used in attire, when/where certain colors are worn and how to honor the cultural heritage of Hawaii and Hula.  The title of Kumu is earned by a series of testing, and it is passed down differently in each Halua, based on that Kumu’s lineage.  There is no international certification for Hula and even the formal title of Kumu can be different from one Halua to another, as well as the style of dance, placement of feet and hands and what is taught or expected of members of the Halua..  

 

Today, not all Halua Hula’s are traditional, and there are directors that are called Kumu for various reasons, which makes the distinction rather confusing.   Some Hula Schools or Hula Studios, have Haluas for the more serious students, that are invitation-only and those groups often strive to perform and sometimes even compete in local, state and some international competitions.

 

Those who have learned Hula from a less traditional method may share much of the same knowledge, but they respect the modern vs. traditional ways of learning and call themselves teachers, instructors or directors.  Sunset Hula is a Hula School/Studio.  The only thing I caution people about is learning Hula from those who are teaching based on learning from YouTube, or have copied a professional and then seek to teach.

 

 

Can I dance Hula to other music?

 

Worship Hula is commonly danced to Christian Pop music as well as Hawaiian tunes.  Christmas music is also another example, and Hawaiian dancers are often ask to dance to Christmas tunes.  There are also times when 'fusion' moves are done to Hawaiian dance and mix Hula and other Polynesian dance forms

 

People are going to dance to anything they want, however, take care to understand that it could be considered rude to those who practice and study Hula to see others dancing Hula (or imitating Hula arms) to certain types of music.   Even dancing to Hawaiian music without learning for a reputable source is offensive to those who commit to study and training.  If you are part of a group that dances in a costume that is not Hawaiian, and mix Hula into your dance, that is cultural appropriation, and that is offensive.  Most of the time it is not intentional, so take care not to make that mistake. If there is some music that moves you, go ahead and choreograph something for yourself, but be respectful in where you dance, so that it is done with respect to the culture of Hula, and those to study the culture and art.  

​