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School, Library and Residential Programs

Wofford env center hs

Students experience the warm sun of Hawai’i and its rich and beautiful culture as it has been passed down from ancient to modern times through their "talk story" and Ha'a Hula. Ha'a Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.   This ancient form of storytelling, that is all about community and caring for each other,  is the living history of the Hawaiian people, telling their myths and legends, stories and values through songs, chants and music accompanied by movement. 

Topics covered in both workshops, classes and residential programs include:

  • An understanding of the Hawaiian Islands, both geographically and historically (on the first day)
  • The meaning of Aloha, (the foundation of their culture); ‘Ohana (family) and caring for each other, including the ‘aina (the land and Nature
  •  Simple Hawaiian words and phrases and how they differ from English, such as the names for the different parts of the body
  •  Mele (songs) to sing and Hawaiian stories shared, based on their ancient legends
  •  a show and tell with hands-on options for handling with some of the ancient rhythm instruments used to accompany the hula

Students will also learn:

  • the basic ha'a hula steps 
  • how to "talk story" (storytelling) through descriptive hand and arm gestures and rhythmic movements of your feet and hips.  
  • a simple ha'a hula, with the students being encouraged to be creative in how they express themselves and the story through the movements.

There will also be visual presentations through power point presentations. 


There can also be the opportunity to share the ha'a hula and songs they have learned and the Hawaiian craft they have made with their families at the end of the program in a Ho'ike (Sharing), if that works for the school.


Hula 10

For more information or to schedule an event for your children, contact us