Each hālau is led by a kumu, or teacher.  Originally, hālau hula was a sacred house where the hula was taught.  Now it refers to a hula school.  Sylvia Hambly is the director and instructor of Hālau Hula Na Mele o ke Kai.  Her dancing experience started in southern California when she was 5 years old and included many years of formal training in ballet, tap, and modern jazz.  Her passion for hula developed under the watchful eye of Virginia Millar.  As a young adult she performed for many years with Polynesian groups throughout southern California.

After moving to the central coast with her husband and children, Sylvia continued hula with Na Mele o ke Kai under the direction of Sandy Rodriguez.  Currently she is participating in kumu hula training with Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett with 'uniki (graduation) planned for 2012.  This training is the first to be presented on the mainland of the ancient, traditional dances of the Hawaiian islands taught in the manner consistent with kumu hula for centuries.