Hula Lessons

Aloha E.,

My 4 year old twin girls also love to dance! I can tell you of a few resources. My girls just performed in their first ho`ike (show) for the very large Christian dance school as a part of New Hope Christian Fellowship. It's called "Hearts in Motion" It was a wonderful show! They not only teach hula, but also sign dance and hip hop for keiki (and adults) all to Christian praise and worship music. Unfortunately they just ended their 3 month session, then they take a 3 month break and will start with another session around September. You can find out more by calling them at ###-###-#### or possiby on their website: www.enewhope.com.

If you are looking for something secular, check with all the major hula halau (schools). I have a friend that sends her keiki to Vicki Takamine Holt - not sure of their Halau name. They are in town, if interested and can't find it, email me and I'll get the info for you. In Kailua we have several, Mapuana De Silva (Hula Halau Mohala Ilima), Aloha Daliri (Hula Halau Keolalaulani, I believe) to name a couple.

I also just finished a soccer session at the Honolulu YMCA on Nuuanu. They handed out their new course schedule coming up in June and offer an on-going hula class that sounds pretty good in the course description. It not only teaches hula, but also ukulele and guitar! I am thinking of having my girls take hula there while Hearts in Motion is on break.

As for ballet, I know of a wonderful instructor. She is so awesome with the little ones, really engages them. Again, it is a worship ballet class. It's all the ballet techniques to classical as well as praise and worship music. Her name is Nicole Lam who dances with the Hawaii State Ballet. She just started a 9 week session in Kailua (next week is session 2). It meets on Monday's at 10:45am for 40 minutes at Kailua United Methodist Church. She caters to homeschoolers and Christians, but is open to everyone. It is extremely reasonable. It's a $45 donation for the 9 week session ($5/class!!!) You can reach her at ____@____.com is absolutely fabulous! But she limits the class size to 12 so contact her immediately to see if you can get in. Otherwise, she also has another session at the Kilauea District Park (we used to go to that one until she opened up a Windward site). It's near KCC. I believe that session is about to finish up. Then she should be coming up with a summer session for them. Contact her at the email above for info on that site if that's more convenient.

Oh, I almost forgot!!! The obvious for you is the Praise Hula offered right there at Hickam! My friend Alyce Hodges leads that. You can reach her at ____@____.com to find out more about that one.

I hope I might meet you either in the ballet class or the Honolulu Y hula class or later in the year at the Hearts in Motion hula class.

Good Luck & God Bless!
B.

Aloha,
There are lots of places that teach hula for young children, and different price points.

Here are some suggestions, based on myself and friends and where they took their children:

1) The Movement Center www.movementcenter.org
2) The YMCA http://www.ymcahonolulu.org/youth/enrichment_programs

3) There is a Hula class/school at Kahala Mall, upstairs by the old Gap store.... I forget the name, but I have a few friends who take their children there for lessons. Apparently, the Hula Teacher is the Mother of the woman who owns the "Kahala Kids" store I think... you can call the store and inquire.

These are the places I am most familiar with...the age at which they can start ranges from 3 years old and up.

Good luck and I hope this helps...
~Susan

where do you live? I know of a couple of good places in kane'ohe.

i have a cousin who has her own halau she teaches as young as 3. the only thing is that its located in Wahiawa. if you would like her number or more info you can contact me @ ____@____.com

E.,
If you live near Kahala Mall, there is a Hula Halau right by Cesars Cleaner. Very good!
4 is a good age, that is when I started.