Class Information
| hhikh_policies_rev_3.25.pdf |
Aloha! E Komo Mai!
Classes are for students wishing to learn about the cultures under Hālau Ho’okahi I Ka Hula (one of our DBAs under the nonprofit).
Our current students come from as far south as Casa Grande, as far east as Apache Junction, as far west as Buckeye and from as far north as Camp Verde. We welcome all students from every area.
Announcements:
*Update 6/1/25
We are currently accepting new students through August 2025. If you’re interested in joining us, please send us a message through the contact form or by email [email protected]. We will also need the completed new student packet above. Mahalo!
It is a requirement that you fill out the New Student Information packet (found at the top of this page under “Class Information”) and give it to the instructor on or before the day that you arrive. Whether you are just an observer or a participant, you must hand in the completed forms. Please email us through the Contact tab to schedule a time to come in.
Learning hula is more than just knowing the motions and words that go with a particular song or story. In addition, there is a set of cultural habits and manners which students are expected to observe. Many people might be surprised to learn pule (prayer) is important to studying hula. It’s grounded in ancient tradition. To not pray was the height of ingratitude. Prayer is regularly used to start or end a class or performance, most often with dancers standing in a circle and holding hands. Then students stand in line according to seniority to recite an oli kāhea. In Hula, one must always remember that the individual is less important than the group and learning in a hālau is a privilege, not a right.
ADDRESS - LOCATION
1929 E Ray Rd. Ste 1
Chandler, AZ 85225
Crossroads are Ray x Cooper. We are on the southwest corner, in between the storage company and the dental office. We have the beautiful, tropical blue walls and wood floors with the Polynesian print curtains from Aloha Fabrics.
CLASS SCHEDULE
By popular vote, our virtual classes are now at the same time as our in-person classes! If you are registered for online classes, please ensure you have the class link and password to join. Please bring a bottle of water, a pen/pencil and a binder/folder to store the handouts that will be given to you. If you have a pā’ū practice skirt for hula and a pāreu for tahitian, please bring that as well. There will be no viewing of classes that are not your own.
Recording video/audio and taking photos during classes is not allowed.
TUESDAY
6pm Ho’opa’a - all ages
Must bring your own ipu heke (or temporary ipu heke ‘ole). Must be comfortable with sitting on the floor and chanting.
7pm ‘Ori Tahiti Competition Training - all ages
Must be comfortable with solos.
8pm Hula ‘Auana - ages 30+
This is a slower-paced class that is appropriate for all experience levels.
WEDNESDAY
6pm Intermediate level hula 13+
This class is by invite-only. Must have full knowledge of hula basics.
7pm Private Rehearsal
SATURDAY
All experience levels welcome
9am ‘Ori Tahiti - Youth ages 5-17
10am Hula Kahiko/‘Auana - Youth ages 5-17
11am Hula Kahiko/‘Auana - Adults 18+
12pm ‘Ori Tahiti - Adults 18+
Class vocabulary/explanations:
- ‘Ori Tahiti - dance from French Polynesia
- Our separate Tuesday competition class is to prep/train those wanting to compete in online or in-person ‘Ori Tahiti competitions.
- Hula - dance from Hawai’i
- Hula kahiko - ancient dance from Hawai’i. It uses chanting and traditional instruments such as ipu heke, pahu hula, etc.
- Hula ‘auana - modern dance from Hawai’i. It is done to singing with instruments such as guitar, ‘ukulele, etc.
- Ho’opa’a - a ho’opa’a is a memorizer. They are responsible for learning the chants and pa’i on the ipu heke during hula kahiko.
**FACEBOOK PAGES**
We have a private Facebook page for current-students-only, called "Nā Haumāna of Hālau Ho'okahi I Ka Hula" where we connect and talk about all things Polynesian dance, music and language related. Please request to join so we can add you once you become a student with us! It is THE BEST form of communication between the instructor and the dancers, so please make sure you stay connected. Once you are accepted in to the main group page, click on the “Featured” button toward the top. From there, you’ll see a list of important information for new students. Start here with the main group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/150913485066192/?ref=share_group_link
CLASS INFORMATION
All classes will require a minimum of 10 students to begin and continue. Classes are around 50 minutes long, to allow 10 minutes for cleanup and wala’au.
Hālau Kalikopuakalehua
A 501c3 Non-Profit Organization
509a2 Public Charity
#99-3981741
DBA Hālau Ho’okahi I Ka Hula
Classes are for students wishing to learn about the cultures under Hālau Ho’okahi I Ka Hula (one of our DBAs under the nonprofit).
Our current students come from as far south as Casa Grande, as far east as Apache Junction, as far west as Buckeye and from as far north as Camp Verde. We welcome all students from every area.
Announcements:
*Update 6/1/25
We are currently accepting new students through August 2025. If you’re interested in joining us, please send us a message through the contact form or by email [email protected]. We will also need the completed new student packet above. Mahalo!
It is a requirement that you fill out the New Student Information packet (found at the top of this page under “Class Information”) and give it to the instructor on or before the day that you arrive. Whether you are just an observer or a participant, you must hand in the completed forms. Please email us through the Contact tab to schedule a time to come in.
Learning hula is more than just knowing the motions and words that go with a particular song or story. In addition, there is a set of cultural habits and manners which students are expected to observe. Many people might be surprised to learn pule (prayer) is important to studying hula. It’s grounded in ancient tradition. To not pray was the height of ingratitude. Prayer is regularly used to start or end a class or performance, most often with dancers standing in a circle and holding hands. Then students stand in line according to seniority to recite an oli kāhea. In Hula, one must always remember that the individual is less important than the group and learning in a hālau is a privilege, not a right.
ADDRESS - LOCATION
1929 E Ray Rd. Ste 1
Chandler, AZ 85225
Crossroads are Ray x Cooper. We are on the southwest corner, in between the storage company and the dental office. We have the beautiful, tropical blue walls and wood floors with the Polynesian print curtains from Aloha Fabrics.
CLASS SCHEDULE
By popular vote, our virtual classes are now at the same time as our in-person classes! If you are registered for online classes, please ensure you have the class link and password to join. Please bring a bottle of water, a pen/pencil and a binder/folder to store the handouts that will be given to you. If you have a pā’ū practice skirt for hula and a pāreu for tahitian, please bring that as well. There will be no viewing of classes that are not your own.
Recording video/audio and taking photos during classes is not allowed.
TUESDAY
6pm Ho’opa’a - all ages
Must bring your own ipu heke (or temporary ipu heke ‘ole). Must be comfortable with sitting on the floor and chanting.
7pm ‘Ori Tahiti Competition Training - all ages
Must be comfortable with solos.
8pm Hula ‘Auana - ages 30+
This is a slower-paced class that is appropriate for all experience levels.
WEDNESDAY
6pm Intermediate level hula 13+
This class is by invite-only. Must have full knowledge of hula basics.
7pm Private Rehearsal
SATURDAY
All experience levels welcome
9am ‘Ori Tahiti - Youth ages 5-17
10am Hula Kahiko/‘Auana - Youth ages 5-17
11am Hula Kahiko/‘Auana - Adults 18+
12pm ‘Ori Tahiti - Adults 18+
Class vocabulary/explanations:
- ‘Ori Tahiti - dance from French Polynesia
- Our separate Tuesday competition class is to prep/train those wanting to compete in online or in-person ‘Ori Tahiti competitions.
- Hula - dance from Hawai’i
- Hula kahiko - ancient dance from Hawai’i. It uses chanting and traditional instruments such as ipu heke, pahu hula, etc.
- Hula ‘auana - modern dance from Hawai’i. It is done to singing with instruments such as guitar, ‘ukulele, etc.
- Ho’opa’a - a ho’opa’a is a memorizer. They are responsible for learning the chants and pa’i on the ipu heke during hula kahiko.
**FACEBOOK PAGES**
We have a private Facebook page for current-students-only, called "Nā Haumāna of Hālau Ho'okahi I Ka Hula" where we connect and talk about all things Polynesian dance, music and language related. Please request to join so we can add you once you become a student with us! It is THE BEST form of communication between the instructor and the dancers, so please make sure you stay connected. Once you are accepted in to the main group page, click on the “Featured” button toward the top. From there, you’ll see a list of important information for new students. Start here with the main group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/150913485066192/?ref=share_group_link
CLASS INFORMATION
All classes will require a minimum of 10 students to begin and continue. Classes are around 50 minutes long, to allow 10 minutes for cleanup and wala’au.
- KEIKI (child) and ‘ŌPIO (youth) - ages 5-17 (we may accept as young as 4 years old, but it depends on the individual child’s attention span)
- MAKUA - age 18+ - both men (kāne) and women (wāhine)
- HO’OPA’A - Learn to chant and pa’i ipu heke with our instructor. You will be required to bring your own ‘ipu heke. You may temporarily use an ipu heke ‘ole until you can get an ‘ipu heke.
- ‘UKULELE - Taught by professional Hawaiian musician, Rudy Dolfo. You will be required to bring your own ‘ukulele (not a toy version, please). You will also need to bring a notebook and pen/pencil.
- HULA - Learn traditional basics and customs of Hula. Hula kahiko, hula ‘auana, chanting, costuming, little bits of language and more. A pā’ū skirt required for kaikamāhine (girls) and wāhine (women). Kāne (men) and keiki kāne (boys) are not required to have a pā’ū but may choose to wear one. Plain black shirt or tank top or Hālau shirt.
- ‘ORI TAHITI - Learn the basics of Tahitian dance. This class is very strenuous and is an excellent workout. Black pāreo required.
- ‘ŌLELO HAWAI’I - Learn the basics of the Hawaiian language. “Ma ka hana ka ‘ike”, In working, one learns. This class will require shame to be left at home, as you will be required to say Hawaiian words out loud. The goal is to understand and have simple conversations with each other in Hawaiian. Required items to bring: binder, lined paper, notecards (200, to start), pen, pencil & markers. Will need the book, ‘Ōlelo Hou by John Maka’āinana Lake. https://a.co/d/fYBeFph
- SIVA AFI - Learn the basics of the Sāmoan fireknife dance.
Hālau Kalikopuakalehua
A 501c3 Non-Profit Organization
509a2 Public Charity
#99-3981741
DBA Hālau Ho’okahi I Ka Hula