FAQ

FAQ

Can I join today?
Can you come and perform at my event?
Are there any workshops?
Do you run in-person classes?
I don’t live in the UK!
I want to learn direct from Kumu, is that possible?
What do I wear for hula?
I have an injury or other restriction, can I still learn hula?
I can’t/don’t want to learn online! Can you run a weekly class where I live?
You don’t look Hawaiian! Is your hula “real” or is it just made up/copied from YouTube?
I’ve never danced (hula) before! Is this for me?
I’m a more experienced dancer, is there a class for that?
Men don’t dance hula, it’s just for women, isn’t it?
Can kids take these classes?
What do I need to bring to class apart from my pāʻū?
I have a question…

Can I join today?
Yes, we welcome new joiners any time! Please email to register or contact us with any questions
HHUK classes are for all levels, including anyone who has never seen or tried hula before, those with some experience who want to refresh their skills, and anyone coming from a different hula school or dance discipline.
HHUK classes help you build a fundamental skill set for hula, including strength, conditioning and flexibility training, foundation technique, language, oli (chant) and mele context

Learners of all levels looking to become a member of Kumu Hula Rich Pedrina’s hālau may want to attend HHUK classes first or in parallel as an introduction to Kumu’s hula style

Can you come and perform at my event? Can you come and run a workshop?
HHUK is always happy to consider requests. Please email Tamsin with details of your event including:
– Date and time
– Venue and location
– Budget
– What type of presentation or performance you are looking for

Are there any HHUK workshops?
We try and hold regular events in London and other metropolitan UK locations as scheduling permits

Do you run in-person classes?
We’re currently working to arrange hybrid in-person/Zoom classes in London – please email if you’d be interested in joining! HHUK is based out of North Essex (Colchester area) and runs in-person classes as scheduling permits

I don’t live in the UK!
We got you 💪. HHUK mainly runs weekly Zoom classes, which means they are accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. Kumu Hula Rich Pedrina also guides other teachers across mainland Europe who may have in-person classes near you, please contact us for info

I want to learn direct from Kumu, is that possible?
Wherever you are in the world, the answer is yes! If you’re in Hawaiʻi, there are in-person classes on Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu. Kumu Hula Rich Pedrina and co-Kumu Hula Blaine Nohara also travel around the world as often as possible to work with students & hold workshops. In 2019 and 2023 our Europe ʻohana welcomed Kumu Rich to London, while Kumu Blaine visited Vienna in 2023 and Lisbon in 2025. Our next meetup is scheduled for 2026

In the meantime, there are Zoom classes every week with the schedule covering various time zones – please note you’ll need to join hālau to take these classes and this can be done by contacting Kumu Hula Rich Pedrina

What do I wear for hula?
– T-shirt, tank or long sleeve top; no crop tops, sports or other bras; no bare backs or bellies
– Joggers, leggings etc. or shorts
– Women: pāʻū (hula skirt) – see blue box
** New joiners or beginners can start with a shirt and joggers and a sarong/pareo/wrap or any kind of pāʻū (purchased, self-made, from another hālau etc.)
** If you have a sarong/pareo/wrap, make sure it is knee-length or longer
– Hair should be neat and long hair tied up/back (ponytail, bun, hairband etc.)
– Minimal jewellery, if any
– No shoes; barefoot is great, socks also but please make sure they’re safe for your flooring (carpet, hardwood etc.)
– A pua in the ear is always appropriate, but please no fake lei or oversize hair accessories – especially not plastic (our oceans thank you 🧡)

CLASS SKIRTS (pāʻū)
HHUK students wear plain royal blue pāʻū for class
Please ask Tamsin for specifications or send an email if you would like one made for you

I have an injury or other restriction, can I still learn hula?
Yes! Hula is adaptable for all abilities, all bodies and all ages. Want to hula and learn new skills but need low-impact or to stay sitting down – no problem! Want to train like an athlete, get fitter or enjoy a sweat-inducing workout – let’s do it! Learning hula also involves other forms of cultural art, performance and craft, such as chant, lei making, language etc. that enrich your overall experience. Feel free to contact Tamsin with any questions

I can’t/don’t want to learn online! Can you run a weekly class where I live?
E kala mai, but that’s not possible at this time. Live classes run (circumstances and schedule permitting) in North Essex and/or London. The new opportunities created through the pandemic have opened up the hula world more than ever, and HHUK is grateful to use these technologies to build and foster our connections

You don’t look Hawaiian! Is your hula “real” or just made up/copied from YouTube?
For more about Tamsin’s background and hula journey, click here.
HHUK’s hula comes direct from a long-standing line of practitioners in Hawaiʻi, and our training and teaching is guided by Kumu Hula Rich Pedrina and Hālau Hula ‘O Nāpunaheleonāpua. We’re privileged to be part of a vast Hawaiʻi-rooted and global ʻohana including mentors, skill and cultural experts and supporters

I’ve never danced (hula) before! Is this for me?
If you’ve never seen or danced hula, have never danced at all, or are coming from a different dance or cultural discipline, HHUK classes do not require prior knowledge or experience and will help you build a solid foundation

All in-person classes start at beginner level

I’m a more experienced dancer, is there a class for that?
HHUK weekly classes are open to all levels, but on request HHUK also runs an “improvers” level class. This is for students with more experience who want to progress in their hula learning, as well as those who are already members of our parent hālau and want to dive deeper into their studies or just share more time with their hula fam outside regular class! If not already, you might also want to look into becoming a member of our parent hālau

Men don’t dance hula, it’s just for women, isn’t it?
Hula welcomes everyone, at every age 😊. If you have any questions, please get in touch
Videos:
– Kawailiʻulā, Men’s Kahiko, Merrie Monarch 2019 [Hawaii News Now]
– Kawailiʻulā, Men’s Kahiko, Merrie Monarch 2021 [Hawaii News Now]
– Ke Kai O Kahiki, Men’s Kahiko, Merrie Monarch [Hawaii News Now]
– Hālau I Ka Wēkiu, Men’s ʻAuana, Merrie Monarch 2025 [Merrie Monarch Festival YouTube]
– Kawaiʻulaokalā, Men’s ʻAuana, Merrie Monarch 2024 [Merrie Monarch Festival YouTube]
– Hālau Hula ʻO Nāpunaheleonāpua, Women’s ʻAuana, Merrie Monarch 2021 [Merrie Monarch Festival YouTube]
– Hālau Hula ʻO Nāpunaheleonāpua, Women’s Kahiko, Merrie Monarch 2021 [Merrie Monarch Festival YouTube]
– Kawaiʻulaokalā, Women’s ʻAuana, Merrie Monarch 2025 [Merrie Monarch Festival YouTube]
– Hālau Hula ʻO Nāpunaheleonāpua, Kids Kahiko, Keiki Hula Festival 2019 [YouTube]
– Hālau Hula ʻO Nāpunaheleonāpua, Kids Kahiko, Keiki Hula Festival 2019 [YouTube]

Can kids take these classes?
HHUK classes are open to everyone aged 6 and up, though please note under-16s must be accompanied/supervised by an adult, including for Zoom classes. If you have children, a local group or school and would like a specifically child-friendly hula class, please get in touch

What do I need to bring to class apart from my pāʻū?
– Water
– Small sweat towel (eg. gym towel)
– Some way to take notes (paper & pen, note-taking app etc.)
Please note audio and video recordings are not permitted or provided
– If possible: binder OR bound notebook OR electronic device containing all your notes, including translations, background research etc.
– Optional but helpful to carry around: Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary, Mary Pukui & Samuel Ebert
– Optional but helpful for comprehensiveness: Hawaiian Dictionary, Mary Pukui & Samuel Ebert

Any other questions?