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Kaholo: How to Do the Step, Count and Common Mistakes

Get ready to sway with the Kaholo, also known as the hula basic step. This beginner level move is a side-to-side traveling step with soft knees that you will see in almost any Hula inspired dance fitness routine. It is a fantastic way to warm up your lower body and practice your hip sways while keeping a smooth, grounded rhythm on the dance floor.

Step card

Count
1, 2, 3, 4 (side, close, side, touch)
Level
Beginner
Found in
Hula
In short
A side-to-side traveling step with soft knees

The timing

step (weight change) touch, kick or sound hold

How to do it

  1. Start with your feet together and bend your knees slightly to get grounded.
  2. On count 1, step your right foot out to the side.
  3. On count 2, bring your left foot in to close next to your right foot.
  4. On count 3, step your right foot out to the side one more time.
  5. On count 4, simply touch your left foot next to your right without shifting your weight.
  6. Reverse the pattern to travel to the left, starting with your left foot on count 1.

Tips

  • Keep your knees softly bent the entire time to help your hips sway naturally.
  • Keep your upper body tall and still while your lower body does the traveling.
  • Make sure your touch on count 4 is light so you are ready to step back the other way.

Common mistakes

  • Straight knees. Keep a soft bend in your legs so your hips can move freely.
  • Stepping too wide. Take smaller steps to stay perfectly on the beat and keep your balance.
  • Putting weight on the touch. Keep your foot light on count 4 so you can immediately step out in the opposite direction.

Variations and practice

  • Add gentle arm sweeps, reaching out softly in the direction you are traveling.
  • Focus on the natural hip sway that occurs as you maintain soft knees and step side to side.
  • Practice holding a deeper knee bend while doing the step to engage your thighs more.

When to check in with a doctor or physical therapist

  • Pain in a knee, ankle or hip that sharpens when you turn, pivot or land
  • Dizziness, chest discomfort or unusual shortness of breath
  • Pain that is still there the next day or keeps coming back after practice

General information, not medical advice. If you have a heart, joint or balance condition, are pregnant or are returning after an injury, check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting a new dance workout.

How this page was made. Step data (count, timing pattern, level, styles) compiled by the Rhythm Desk from common teaching practice; counts can differ between teachers. Text drafted with AI assistance and checked by the Rhythm Desk; see how we write. Last checked October 2026.