Kumu Hula

What are the required skills to become a hula master?

A Kumu Hula is a hula master or teacher who has deep expertise in Hawaiian culture, hula, chant (oli), and music. For a Kumu Hula to become one must learn from a Kumu Hula, who has trained them for years on end in the sacred hula traditions, history, and correct hula technique. Apart from incorporating these physical movements and chants, a Kumu Hula will lead and teach students in a hlau (hula school), and thus continue and sustain Hawaiian culture. They don’t just teach dance; they are cultural stewards and leaders in their communities.