Hula lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What hula lessons is

Hula lessons teach steps, hand motions and storytelling, in kahiko or auana style, with attention to cultural meaning and music. Students take them to learn the dance, to tell a story through movement, or to connect with Hawaiian culture, and parents book them for children in family or school programs.

Signs you need it

  • You want to learn the hand motions and steps, but you do not know what the story of a song means.
  • You are curious about the difference between kahiko and auana and do not know which style fits you.
  • You want to perform a hula at a family event, a celebration or a school program.
  • Your child is learning hula in a program, and you want to help them practice at home.
  • You want to understand the cultural background of the dance before you perform it.

What the pro does

  • Start with the basic stance, the foot movements and the hand positions of the style taught.
  • Teach the meaning of the words and images in a song, so each motion carries its story.
  • Build a short hula in sections, with each section taught slowly before the full song.
  • Explain the cultural context of the dance, including when and how it is performed.
  • Give a short section of the hula to practice at home, with the words and motions written out.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Private lessons compared with group classes
  • How many classes you book each week and how long each one runs
  • Whether the focus is kahiko, auana or both
  • Whether the lessons focus on steps, storytelling or performance
  • Whether the instructor is a trained hula teacher with a family or school background
  • Whether classes happen in a studio, at a community space or online

What a written quote should spell out

  • The style taught, such as kahiko or auana, and the class level
  • The class count, length and schedule
  • The songs or chants covered and whether translations are included
  • Whether a performance or community showing is included
  • The cancellation and make-up class rules

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which style do you teach, kahiko or auana, and how did you learn it?
  • Will you explain the meaning of the songs and the cultural context of the dance?
  • How do you handle the protocol of a performance, such as how and when to dance?
  • Do you teach hula for a family event, a school program or a show?
  • If you are booking for a child, what is the instructor's policy on background checks, supervision and pickup?

Red flags

  • An instructor who teaches hula as costume or entertainment with no cultural context.
  • Lessons that teach motions without explaining what the songs mean.
  • A teacher who will not describe where they learned the dance or who taught them.
  • Pressure to buy a long package or costume before a trial class.

What you can do yourself

You can listen to the songs, learn the basic steps and practice the hand motions in front of a mirror on your own. Hire an instructor when you need someone to teach you the meaning of the songs, guide your performance and explain the cultural protocol that goes with the dance.

Licenses and permits

Hula instruction usually does not require a license. Ask for proof of skill instead, such as training from a teacher or program in the style, a teaching background, performance credits or references from community members or past students.

Hula lessons questions

Do I need to know Hawaiian to learn hula?

No, but many teachers explain the words of the songs. Knowing a few words helps you understand the story of the dance.

Can a parent book hula lessons for a child?

Yes. Ask about background checks, supervision, the class policy on pickup and how the instructor teaches the cultural background to children before you book.

How do I find a hula teacher here?

Describe the style and your goal, then pick the teachers you want by name. Only the teachers you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

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