Registration Opens August 1 | Hula Manu Newsletter

Ka Pā Hula Nā Manu Hoʻoheno Aloha | Hula Manu

Nūleka - Iulai 2026

Aloha nō kākou!

Mahalo nui for subscribing to the Hula Manu newsletter. Whether you've been following Hula Manu from its earliest days or have only recently discovered our school, I'm grateful you're here.

This newsletter is simply another way for us to stay connected. From time to time, I'll share updates about Ka Pā Hula Nā Manu Hoʻoheno Aloha (Hula Manu), upcoming classes and events, and occasional stories and cultural insights that reflect the traditions and values of our hula practice.

As we prepare to open our doors, I'm grateful and excited to share a few updates with you.

Registration Opens August 1

Enrollment for our inaugural class, Papa Kōlea: Foundations, officially opens this Saturday, August 1.

Papa Kōlea is the starting point for every haumāna at Hula Manu. Together, we will build a strong foundation in hula through movement, rhythm, mele, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, cultural understanding, and the values that guide our practice.

Hula Workshop with Kumu Kuʻualohanui Kauliʻa

Friday, August 7 | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Before Hula Manu classes begin, we have the wonderful opportunity to welcome Kumu Kuʻualohanui Kauliʻa for a special workshop in San Dimas.

Participants will learn a hula noho pūʻili, a mele oli, and a hula ʻauana.

This workshop is open to the public and intended for those with intermediate to advanced hula experience. You do not need to be registered as a student in Hula Manu.

Registration: $50

Space is limited.

Email aloha@hulamanu.com for more information.

Hoʻolaʻa & Blessing Ceremony

Saturday, August 8

One of the most meaningful milestones in this journey will take place on August 8, when our new pā hula will be formally blessed by my kumu, surrounded by fellow kumu hula, hula brothers and sisters, and our close family and friends.

Because the studio space is limited, this will be a private gathering. Even so, I wanted to share this special moment with all of you, as it marks the beginning of Hula Manu's next chapter. It is important to me that our pā hula is established with intention, guided by protocol, and blessed before we welcome our first haumāna.

Every hālau begins with gratitude, prayer, and a commitment to uphold the ʻike and traditions entrusted to it. It is my hope that the blessings offered that day will be carried into every class, every lesson, and every relationship we build within our Hula Manu ʻohana.

Spotlight: Papa Kōlea (Foundations)

The kōlea, or Pacific Golden-Plover, is admired for its remarkable annual migration between Alaska and Hawaiʻi. They spend the summer in their Arctic breeding grounds and return to Hawaiʻi and other Pacific islands every August and September. Guided by instinct and purpose, they often return to the same area year after year. The kōlea has been described in Hawaiian legend as an informer or messenger. It also reminds us that every meaningful journey begins with a single step.

Our inaugural class, Papa Kōlea: Foundations, reflects that same spirit. Together, we'll establish the fundamentals of hula while cultivating discipline, humility, connection, and joy. Strong foundations allow us to grow with confidence, both as dancers and as lifelong learners.

ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #142

ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia.

No task is too great when done together.

This reminder encourages us to work in the spirit of laulima, where shared effort and mutual support make even the greatest endeavors possible.

I mua…

As Hula Manu continues to grow, I hope this newsletter will keep you informed about upcoming classes, workshops, events, and opportunities to learn more about hula and Hawaiian culture. From time to time, I'll also share stories from our pā hula, cultural insights, and milestones along the way.

Mahalo for being here at the very beginning. I look forward to keeping in touch.

Me ka mahalo nui,

Kumu Nohea

Ka Pā Hula Nā Manu Hoʻoheno Aloha

Hula Manu

photo credits: J. Dypiangco, K. Yap, T. & I. Magboo

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in this Issue

hālau: school or place of learning

haumāna: student; learner

hoʻolaʻa: to dedicate, sanctify

hula noho pūʻili: hula performed while sitting (noho), using the split bamboo rattle implement (pūʻili)

i mua: to move forward with purpose and determination

kumu: teacher; source of knowledge

mele oli: chant; typically performed without instrumental accompaniment

hula ʻauana: contemporary (more modern) hula; often accompanied by Western-influenced melodies and instrumentsʻ

ʻike: knowledge

Iulai: July

laulima: working together; cooperation

nūleka: Hawaiian adaptation of “newsletter”

ʻōlelo noʻeau: a traditional Hawaiian proverb or wise saying

pā hula: literally, “hula enclosure”; the space where hula is taught and practiced

papa: class