PAʻI is the acronym for Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima, the hālau hula (school of Hawaiian dance) founded in 1977 by kumu hula (master teacher of Hawaiian dance), Vicky Holt Takamine. Established in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, PA‘I’s mission is to preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian cultural traditions for future generations. We are guided and led by our founder and executive director Vicky Holt Takamine who is recognized as a Native Hawaiian advocate and community organizer around the issues of Native rights and the protection of the natural and cultural resources of Hawai‘i that are so vital to the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian cultural traditions.
PA‘I is anchored by members of Takamine’s hālau hula (traditional dance school), Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima. While the perception of hula for many is that it is a form of entertainment for tourists or a hobby for individuals all around the world, hula has been instrumental in the preservation and perpetuation of Native Hawaiian language, art and cultural practices. Springing from her vision, PA‘I sees Native Hawaiian artistic practices as a form of resistance, and often uses art for organizing and empowerment. PA‘I is the Hawaiian word for “sudden impact or slap”.
Executive Director, PAʻI Foundation
Kumu Hula, Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima
vicky@paifoundation.org
Artistic Director/ Kumu Hula, Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima
jeffrey@paifoundation.org
Managing Director
jay@paifoundation.org
Folk Arts Coordinator
kaiu@paifoundation.org
PACC Office Manager
char@paifoundation.org
Administrative Assistant
verna@paifoundation.org
Grants Specialist
shelley@paifoundation.org
Marketing Specialist
nicole@paifoundation.org
President
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Planner, Group 70 Inc.
Vice President
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Retired Professor, Leeward Community College
Secretary
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Instructor, UH Lab School
Treasurer
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Marketing Director, Hale Koa Hotel
Director
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Retired Administrator, Comprehensive Family Care Center
Director
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Community Planner, Federal Aviation Administration
Director
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Deputy for Water Resources Management
State of Hawaiʻi DLNR
Director
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Faculty, St. Andrew's Schools