Few traditions capture the spirit of Hawai‘i quite like the hula – a graceful art form that weaves together Hawaiian history, legends and storytelling through movement and dance. And for those wanting to experience it firsthand during their visit, there is no better guide than Puake‘ala Mann, affectionately known as Pua.
Pua has been teaching hula to kama‘āina (locals) and malihini (visitors) at the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikīkī since 1984, continuing the legacy of her teacher, the late kumu hula (hula master) Ma‘iki Aiu Lake.
Pua first met Aunty Maiki in 1977 when she began studying at Hālau Hula O Maiki, one of Hawai‘i’s most respected hula schools. Under Maiki’s guidance, she developed a deep understanding of hula as both an art form and a means of preserving Hawaiian culture and tradition.
When the Royal Hawaiian Center opened in 1980, its vision extended beyond luxury shopping and international dining to include a meaningful cultural program. The Center’s first hula lesson was held in the summer of 1981 under Maiki’s direction, and the classes have continued uninterrupted ever since.
Although the title did not formally exist at the time, Maiki effectively served as the Center’s first cultural director, championing Hawaiian culture long before the role received broader recognition and value.
Today, Pua carries that legacy forward as a hula ‘ūniki graduate, having completed a rigorous, traditional graduation ceremony (‘ūniki) in Hawaiian hula, signifying her transition from a student to a proficient dancer or a recognised kumu hula.
Visitors to the Royal Hawaiian Center can join complimentary hula classes every Tuesday from 11.30am to 12.30pm at The Royal Grove, where participants learn basic hand gestures and footwork in a welcoming setting. Classes are open to guests aged 10 and older, with no reservations required.
In addition to hula lessons, the Center offers a program of live Hawaiian music and hula performances, along with ‘ukulele lessons and lei-making workshops.
For more information, visit royalhawaiiancenter.com/events
