Hālau

A hālau is Hawaiian word meaning a school, academy, or group. Literally, the word means "a branch from which many leaves grow." Today a hālau usually describes a hula school (hālau hula).

Hālau at Honokōhau park

The teacher at the hālau is the kumu hula, where kumu means source of knowledge, or literally just teacher. Often you will find that there is a hierarchy in hula schools - starting with the kumu (teacher), alaka'i (leader), kokua (helpers), and then the 'olapa (dancers) or haumana (students).

The word was also used for the long open-air houses, often constructed at the shores, where the instruction took place.

An example has been reconstructed at the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park.[1]

A common Hawaiian adage is " ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi," which means, "All knowledge is not contained in only one school."[2]

References
  1. The Spirit of Kaloko brochure from National Park Service
  2. 'Olelo No'eau : Hawaiian proverbs & poetical sayings. Pukui, Mary Kawena, 1895-1986., Varez, Dietrich, 1939-. Honolulu, Hawai'i: Bishop Museum Press. 1983. ISBN 0910240922. OCLC 11372381.CS1 maint: others (link)
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