We no longer hold hula lessons. This page is only here for archival purposes.
Fall 2004 - Hula Kahiko Workshop Information
If you would like to be notified in the unlikely event of a cancellation, please email us with your contact information.
Summary
Dates: Sunday, November 7 and November 14 (Two parts)
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Winnett Center, Caltech
Instructor: Kealoha Sakamoto, Island Style
Entertainment
Cost: $10/both parts for Caltech community members; $20 for non-members
Directions to Studio Location
Winnett Center can be seen on this version of the Caltech Campus Map (PDF, 1.17 MB). Winnett Center is the larger room located upstairs from the Caltech Bookstore.
For more specific information, or directions to Caltech, refer directly to the Caltech Map Page or to Yahoo! Maps.
Parking can be found on the streets surrounding Caltech. I would recommend parking on the sections of Hill Ave., California Blvd., San Pasqual, or Holliston that are contiguous to the Caltech campus.
Common Questions
Hula is a traditional Hawaiian dance well-known for its gracefulness and expressiveness, which you may have seen highlighted recently in Lilo and Stitch. Hula is one of the most visible and popular aspects of traditional Hawaiian culture, and today, hula halau (schools) can be found outside Hawaii in increasing numbers (most notably in California, Nevada, and Japan). Many people strongly enjoy dancing hula, and some come to revere its artistry. Whatever you get out of it, however, is bound to be worthwhile.
There are several styles of hula. Hula kahiko, or "ancient hula" is performed to Hawaiian chants and accompanied by traditional percussion instruments.
Classes and workshops are open to everyone (with the exception of people who have been banned from campus for security reasons). However, younger children who may not have the attention span necessary for this type of class are encouraged to contact us first for information about other opportunities. Note that both males and females are welcome to attend.
The California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California, USA. If your geographical location makes it unfeasible for you to attend, please visit http://www.mele.com for a list of hula halaus (schools) worldwide.
This two-part workshop costs $20 total. The Hawaiian club subsidizes the cost for Caltech community members, who pay $10. If you would like to attend our lessons, but cannot pay the entire amount, please contact us at the address below. We may be able to subsidize your tuition.
The cost of attending both workshops will be collected in full on the first Sunday, and we will give you a ticket for admission on the next Sunday.
Not really, although you will probably want to wear comfortable clothing.
If you're female, you have the additional option of two types of skirts:
Pareo/Sarong - similar to a wrap skirt. You can purchase one from the instructor for $5, or make one quite easily by hemming a 2 yard length of 45"-width fabric. For a picture/instructions, see this article.
Hula skirt - an elastic skirt made out of cotton fabric. You can purchase one from the instructor for $20. You can also make one by sewing a 5-6yd long piece of fabric into the basic skirt shape, and adding elastic and casing to the top. The skirt should fall to knee length.
Sponsorship and Thanks
We are grateful to the following Caltech organizations for logistical help and/or funding of our event: