Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Keiki Introduction to Hula & Tahitian Dance

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Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance-image

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Introduce your keiki (children) to the vibrant stories, rhythms, and spirit of Polynesia! Taught by the renowned Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance, this joyful weekly class offers young dancers a nurturing foundation in both Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian Dance ('Ori Tahiti).

Founded in Santa Cruz in 1997 by master teacher Kumu Lorraine Kalei Kinnamon and continued by Charmaine Moniz, Te Hau Nui shares Polynesian culture through motion, music, and the foundational values of aloha (love and kindness), mālama (caring for one another), and hō‘ihi (respect).

What Dancers Learn:

  • Hawaiian Hula Fundamentals: Essential footwork (kāholo, hela, ‘uwehe, ‘ami) and expressive hand storytelling gestures representing the ocean, mountains, rain, flowers, and ancestral legends.
  • Tahitian Drumming & Rhythm: High-energy basic Tahitian steps (tāiri tamau, fa'arapu) aligned with traditional Polynesian drumming cadences.
  • Cultural Language & Protocol: Chants (oli), song lyrics (mele), basic Hawaiian/Tahitian vocabulary, and reverence for traditional dance arts.
  • Movement & Poise: Coordination, rhythm, spatial awareness, and confidence in a collaborative group setting.

Class Details:

  • When: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: The 418 Project Lobby Dance Floor (155 River St S, Santa Cruz, CA)
  • Who: Open to all keiki/youth beginners and continuing young dancers (ages ~4–11).
  • What to Wear: Comfortable clothing that allows movement (t-shirt and leggings or shorts). A floral sarong (pā‘ū or pāreu) is welcome but not required. Barefoot or dance socks.

Line-up

Charmaine Moniz Kumu & Lead Instructor

Tue, Oct 13 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Oct 13 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Oct 20 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Oct 27 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Nov 3 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Nov 10 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Nov 17 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Nov 24 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 1 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 8 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 15 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 22 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 29 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Jan 5 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Jan 12 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Jan 19 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Jan 26 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Feb 2 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Feb 9 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Feb 16 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Feb 23 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Director of Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance, continuing the Santa Cruz cultural lineage established in 1997.

Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance Featured Polynesian Dance School

Tue, Oct 13 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Oct 13 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Oct 20 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Oct 27 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Nov 3 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Nov 10 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Nov 17 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Nov 24 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 1 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 8 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 15 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 22 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Dec 29 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Jan 5 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Jan 12 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Jan 19 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Jan 26 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Feb 2 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Feb 9 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Feb 16 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Tue, Feb 23 · 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Santa Cruz community hula halau founded in 1997 by master teacher Kumu Lorraine Kalei Kinnamon.

Schedule

Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Nov 10, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Nov 24, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Dec 8, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Dec 15, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Dec 22, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Dec 29, 2026

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Jan 5, 2027

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Jan 12, 2027

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2027

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Jan 26, 2027

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Feb 2, 2027

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2027

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Feb 16, 2027

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Tuesday, Feb 23, 2027

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Charmaine Moniz
  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

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Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

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