Hālau Hula Nāpuaokaleiʻilima celebrates their 20th Anniversary of offering Hula classes and Hawaiian cultural education in Central Arizona. To mark this special occasion, the Hālau is inviting the public to attend a free event of hula commemorating Hawaiian Lei Day on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Sedona Posse Grounds Pavilion, 525 Posse Grounds Road, from 12 noon – 3PM. Bring your picnic lunch and chair to enjoy immersing yourself in genuine Hawaiian hula and cultural commentary.
Kumu Hula (master teacher) Kēhau Chrisman announces the 2024 class schedule in Beginner Hula, Hawaiian ʻUkulele, and Hawaiian (ʻŌlelo) language. Kumu Kehau Chrisman started studying hula in 1983 until she began seriously training in 1993 to become a kumu hula under the direction of Kumu Bill Correa on Hawaii Island. This was achieved in 2000 to reach the highest rank of Hula Master (comparable to a PhD in Hula) following rigorous protocols taught by well-known and respected Hawaiian hula masters. In 2003, Chrisman moved to Arizona from Hawaii and opened her Cottonwood-based hula school, Hālau Hula Nāpuaokaleiʻilima, in 2004. Since then, students from throughout the Verde Valley, Prescott and Flagstaff travel to study Hawaiian hula, ʻukulele, language and culture with Kumu Kēhau Chrisman.
New 2024 classes include:
Beginner Women’s Hula Class – Open to those 15 and older. Learn basic hula and feet movements, plus language, culture, and values. Thursdays from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, beginning April 18 through May 23. The fee is $48 for the six-week session, payable at the first class.
Beginners `Ukulele Class – Learn chords, strumming techniques, and songs from the islands. Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30pm, 4 classes beginning May 2 – May 23. The fee is $36 for the 4-week course. Bring your own `ukulele.
Hawaiian Language Class – Open to those 16 and older. Learn Hawaiian pronunciation, simple sentence structures, and Hawaiian vocabulary. Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30pm beginning June 13 – August 1 (duration may be extended based on class interest). The fee is $8 per class, payable in 2 payments of $32. Bring a writing tablet and pen/pencil.
Classes are held at the Mountain View United Methodist Church located at 901 S 12th Street in Cottonwood in the Verde Room or Sycamore Room. Please note no refunds for missed classes.
For more information, visit arizonahula.com, or email Chrisman at hulaisaloha@gmail.com.