The kuahu was adorned with greenery in honor of the Gods, song-offerings and pule, or prayers, were also offered to this sacred dwelling space within the hālau.
[3] The location of hālau today vary widely, from the kumu's home to community centers, to the lawns of parks.
Alakaʻi often will assist less experienced haumāna with their lessons, and coach them with the more difficult steps and moves.
Education came from parents, aunts, uncles, and elders, while children who showed promise in a specialized art or craft would be apprenticed to a master and work in the latter's hālau.
Hālau hula training was strict, with haumāna put on kapu or rules and codes of conduct which banned the cutting of hair and the practicing of any kind of sexual activity.
Today, students have set hours for study at the hālau, and often pay monthly dues to help the kumu with support and maintenance.
Hālau are judged on individual (Ms. Aloha Hula) and group performances in categories for kāne (men) and wāhine (women).
All of the basic steps in hula require the shoulders to remain steady and both knees to be in a bent position at all times.