Hula - the Heartbeat of the Hawaiian People

Hula, the traditional dance of the islands, is part of the Hawaiian "Healing Arts". This means that Hula is much more than a dance: It is an art with healing effects.

The basis of hula is individuality within a collective. While the music unites the movements of the dancers like drops in a wave, each person expresses his or her own innermost feelings.

In the 19th century, hula was forbidden for a long time and could only be practiced in hiding, not least because of its content: The dances depict the relationships of people, nobles, Hawaiian gods and goddesses among themselves, as well as themes like nature and love. It was not until after 1970 that the dances experienced a renaissance - one that has continued to this day.

AlohaSpirit has formed its own group of about 15 hula dancers, "Na Wai 'Ohi'a", which performs at national and international events. "Na Wai 'Ohi'a" is under the direction of Kumu Keala Ching and Kumu Noëlle Delaquis. Videos of our performances can be found here. Every year in June, the group presents what they have learned during the year in a public performance (see picture gallery).

AlohaSpirit offers you the opportunity to dance hula, play the ukulele and perform on a regular basis.

Weekly hula training at Hale AlohaSpirit.

Every Tuesday:

from 5 to 6 p.m. - ukulele and singing
from 18 to 19 o'clock - Hula foundation class
from 19 to 21 o'clock - Hula main class and chanting.

Classes are taught in the tradition of "Na Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching.

Details

Hula Day takes place 1-time per month.

One Saturday or Sunday each month we conduct a Hula Day. We take six hours for a specific dance and chant. The lessons are taught in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching.

Details

Hula School Na Wai 'Ohi'a - annual performance

Details

Latest Workshops

Workshop Hula
June 23, 2023
6 till 8 pm

20th Annual! Na Wai 'Ohi'a - Annual Hula-Performance

Hawai'i meets Switzerland – Aloha meets Grüezi!

20 years Hula-Dance in Switzerland

AlohaSpirit celebrates the birthday of the Hula School "Na Wai 'Ohi'a". Let's Party!

Special Guests directly from Hawai'i: Kumu Keala Ching with Welu Bean-Band & Friends.

Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people. Hula electrifies. Hula is grace. Hula is elegance and power - and tells the myths and stories of the archipelago in dance

E komo mai! Herzlich willkommen.

Location: The Millers, Zürich (www.millers.ch)

Time: 18.30 bis ca. 20 Uhr

Costs: Ticket CHF 50.-, AHV/Student:innen CHF 40.-

Ticket-Order

Workshop Hula
July 1 - 2, 2023
9 am to 4.30 pm (Sunday until 6 pm)

Hawaiian Hula Weekend with Kumu Keala Ching

Costs:

CHF 490.-

We learn Hula-Kahiko (traditional dance) and Hula Auana (modern dance). In addition, we practice chanting and learn more about the history of hula and the culture of Hawai'i.

Workshop Hula
August 19, 2023
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Auana Day - Modern Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

Workshop Hula
December 16, 2023
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Kahiko Day - Traditional Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

Workshop Hula
January 28, 2024
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Auana Day - Modern Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

Workshop Hula
February 24, 2024
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Kahiko Day - Traditional Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

Workshop Hula
March 16, 2024
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Auana Day - Modern Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

Workshop Hula
April 20, 2024
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Kahiko Day - Traditional Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

Workshop Hula
May 18, 2024
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Auana Day - Modern Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

Workshop Hula
August 17, 2024
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Auana Day - Modern Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

Workshop Hula
December 14, 2024
10 am to 4 pm

Hula Kahiko Day - Traditional Dance

Costs:

CHF 150.-

Place:

Hale AlohaSpirit

Once a month is Hula Day.

We take six hours to devote ourselves entirely to a dance and song (Chant/Oli). The lessons are in the tradition of "Nā Wai Iwi Ola" (The Ancient Waters of Life) as taught by Kumu Keala Ching. The Hula Day offers beginners a good opportunity for first contact with this fascinating dance, but it is also suitable for advanced dancers to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.