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

Youth & Teen Polynesian Dance: Hula & 'Ori Tahiti

Session Date & Time

Dec 08 2026 (Tuesday)

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location

The 418 Project

In the: Lobby

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About This Event

Designed for youth and teen dancers, the Kaika Class with Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance deepens students' technical skill, artistic expression, and cultural understanding of Polynesian dance traditions.

Under the dedicated guidance of instructor Charmaine Moniz and senior dancers, youth explore both classical Hawaiian Hula and dynamic Tahitian Dance ('Ori Tahiti), developing rhythm, stamina, and ensemble choreography.

What Dancers Focus On:

  • Advanced Hula Technique: Moving beyond basic footwork into layered foot combinations, graceful hip transitions, and nuanced storytelling through hand, arm, and eye focus.
  • Fast-Paced 'Ori Tahiti: Developing core strength, rapid hip articulation (fa'arapu, varu, afata), and tempo control set to live and recorded Tahitian percussive beats.
  • Mele (Songs) & Oli (Chants): Understanding the poetry, historical contexts, and Hawaiian language pronunciation embedded within each dance.
  • Ensemble Artistry: Spatial awareness, line synchronization, stage presence, and mutual encouragement within the hālau family.

Class Details:

  • When: Tuesdays, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: The 418 Project Lobby Dance Floor (155 River St S, Santa Cruz, CA)
  • Who: Youth and teen dancers (ages ~11–17), from beginner to continuing intermediate students.
  • What to Wear: Pā‘ū skirt or pāreu (sarong) over athletic leggings/shorts and a fitted top. Barefoot.

Visiting The 418 Project: What to Expect

House guidelines to ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone

We are committed to a safe, welcoming environment where everyone is treated with cultural and personal respect across all backgrounds and identities. We hold the highest standards for consent—in movement, touch, and conversation. Always check in first, honor boundaries, and ensure that consent is clear, voluntary, and ongoing.
As a community-run non-profit collective with a small staff, we cannot clean everything after every event. Please help us care for the space by picking up after yourself, placing recycling and compost in the bins provided, and treating every room with kindness so it remains welcoming for the next gathering.
We have a filtered water bottle refill station on-site, so feel free to bring a refillable bottle. All restrooms are all-gender, ADA-accessible, and located conveniently on the ground floor.
To ensure everyone can breathe and move comfortably—especially community members with chemical sensitivities and asthma—The 418 Project is a low-fragrance space. Please refrain from applying perfumes, scented colognes, or strongly scented lotions before attending.
As an artist-driven non-profit collective, we believe movement and art should be accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances. Many events feature sliding scale tickets, and we offer work-trade opportunities for community members who wish to volunteer in exchange for admission.
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Plan Your Visit

Venue & Accessibility

The 418 Project is located in downtown Santa Cruz. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming space for all dancers, artists, and community members.

Address: 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Accessibility: Ground floor entrances & all-gender accessible restrooms
Parking: On-street parking & nearby River Street public garage
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