A hālau hula (Hawaiian pronunciation: [haːˈlɐw ˈhulə]) is a school or hall in which the Hawaiian dance form called hula is taught. The term comes from hālau, literally, "long house, as for canoes or hula instruction"; "meeting house", and hula, a Polynesian dance form of the Hawaiian Islands. Today, a hālau hula is commonly known as a school or formal institution for hula where the primary responsibility of the people within the hālau is to perpetuate the cultural practice of hula.

There is great variation between hālau. Some focus primarily on ancient styles of hula, others on modern styles, and some study both. Some hālau continue to preserve very strict kapu, sacred protocols, while others are noa, or free of kapu. The styles of hula taught in different hālau also can vary greatly. Styles are passed down from kumu to haumāna, and knowledgeable students of hula can tell which hula lineage is represented by watching the dancer's presentation.

Traditionally, a hālau was constructed as a sacred space and dedicated to the god Laka. Although Hawaiians had many gods, within a hālau Laka was important as evidenced by the kuahu, or altar, which stood in the hālau space and required constant care. 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.

The location of hālau today vary widely, from the kumu's home to community centers, to the lawns of parks. Hālau hula can be found wherever there is space and a company or troupe of hula students.

The internal structure of a hālau hula can vary quite a bit, generally these are led by a kumu hula, or master teacher, whose position is roughly equivalent to that of a headmaster. The kumu is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the style and traditions handed down to them by their kumu, during their hula training. Their kuleana, or responsibility, is therefore to uphold the training and discipline of their haumāna through a perpetuation of their hālau traditions. The kumu is also responsible for the spiritual integrity of the hālau, and is responsible for instructing students in the proper care and protocol of the hālau, which includes their physical well-being by teaching good exercise, dietary, and hygienic practices.

Within a hālau there are typically two classes of performers. The ʻōlapa, or dancers, who, like the ʻōlapa tree (Cheirodendron trigynum) dance with agility and bend gracefully alikened to the motion of the leaves of the ʻōlapa. Along with the hoʻopaʻa, or steadfast class of performers. The hoʻopaʻa are responsible for instrumentation and typically chant and dance with their instruments while sitting or kneeling, accompanying the ʻōlapa dancers. Typically, this role was for students with more experience and maturity.

The poʻopuaʻa, or head student, is often the kumu's protégé, and under the direction of the kumu oversees the protocol and rituals of the hālau.

The alakaʻi or "guides" act as teaching assistants, with the more advanced effectively being student teachers. Alakaʻi often will assist less experienced haumāna with their lessons, and coach them with the more difficult steps and moves.