KANE'OHE — Not even a 17-hour plane ride from Mexico City to Honolulu, a two-hour delay at the airport for lost luggage, a midnight orientation that lasted until 3:30 a.m. and a wake-up call before sunrise could dampen Daniela Zavalza's spirits.

Zavalza, 17, came to Hawai'i to study hula.

"It's like a dream for a lot of us because we have a lot of years practicing hula in Mexico," Zavalza said. "For many of us, it's the first time that we came, so it's a dream come true."

Nineteen students and teachers — members of Ka Leo O Na Hula, a Mexico-based hula teachers' association — arrived in Hawai'i on Thursday.

They will be here until July 23 immersing themselves in hula through a seminar offered by Windward Community College, where the group is staying.

On Friday, the group learned to make ipu, drum-like instruments used for hula.

Kalani Meinecke, assistant professor of Hawaiian language and culture at WCC, said it is exciting for the group to be in Hawai'i, where hula originated.

"It's a thrill for them to come to the home of hula and study it in its historical and cultural context," Meinecke said.

Unlike other groups, who come to Hawai'i only to perform hula, Meinecke said, the halau from Mexico came to learn about its history and performance techniques from participating in activities such as lei-making, watching films and having discussions with hula masters.

The group will also tour historical sites such as 'Iolani Palace and watch hula performances at the Prince Lot festival, the state's oldest and largest noncompetitive hula event.

Earl Pamai Tenn, who advises Ka Leo O Na Hula and teaches hula at WCC, said the festival's performers are more relaxed and natural because they are not in competition.

"I feel it is important that they experience the aloha that goes on amongst the participants of a hula festival such as the Prince Lot," Tenn said. "I wanted them to attend and feel the spirit of aloha within the presenters."

Tenn, who is the host of the seminar, said they don't just learn the movements, they also internalize the true spirit of the dance to bring it back home with them.

Paty Constantino, 48, interpreter and member of Ka Leo O Na Hula, said hula is "well-received" and popular in her hometown in Mexico. In Hawai'i, she hopes to learn the traditional way of practicing hula, which will help to preserve Hawai'i's culture.

"This is one of my passions: hula and Hawaiian culture," said the 32-year hula veteran and teacher, who has visited Hawai'i seven times. "I'm very serious about it, so I try to learn the language, history, values and the ancient wisdom."

She said Hawai'i is similar to her hometown, where people value their families and respect their elders. Constantino said she has a lot of respect for Hawai'i and its aloha.

"It's always an experience to know Hawai'i people; they really love the culture and feel proud of it, then you feel respect for what you are learning because they really share it with pride and love," she said.