PAʻI FOUNDATION
PAʻI Foundation was established in 2001 as the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima, a hālau hula (school of Hawaiian dance) founded in 1977 by kumu hula (master teacher of Hawaiian dance), Victoria Holt Takamine. Takamine 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 Hawaii that are so vital to the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian cultural traditions. The geographic reach of PAʻI Foundation programming is primarily Hawaiʻi, but PAʻI cultural programming also reaches audiences in the continental United States and internationally.
PAʻI Foundation Mission:
To preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian arts and cultural traditions for future generations.
PAʻI Foundation Values:
Akahai- meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness;
Lokahi- meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
ʻOluʻolu- meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
Haʻahaʻa- meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
Ahonui- meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.
PAʻI Foundation Vision:
To establish and maintain a sustainable Native Hawaiian arts and culture center in urban Honolulu.
In pursuit of it’s mission, the PAʻI Foundation operates the PAʻI Arts & Culture Center (PACC) currently located in Kapālama. A new 6,000 square foot PAʻI Arts Gallery & Performing Arts Center will open in 2019 as part of the ‘Ola Ka ʻIlima Artspace affordable artist development project in Kakaʻako.
LEADERSHIP & STAFF
Vicky Holt Takamine
Executive Director/ Kumu Hula, Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima
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Jeffrey Takamine
Artistic Director/ Kumu Hula, Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima
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Jay Rojas
Managing Director
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Charlene Kuʻulei Hazelwood
PACC Office Manager
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Elizabeth Kaʻiulani Takamori
Folk Arts Coordinator
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Verna Kuroiwa
Administrative Assistant
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The PA‘I Foundation is looking to increase the number of board members to eleven. We are currently seeking new board members to fill existing vacancies. Board members are elected for a period of three years and meet quarterly. All board members are expected to serve on committees and participate in all PA‘I Foundation activities.
The current members of the board are:
Kawika McKeague
President
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Planner, Group 70 Inc.
Mokihana Benevente
Vice President
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Associate Professor, Leeward Community College
Alison Hartle
Secretary
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Instructor, UH Lab School
Lucy ‘Āina Lau
Treasurer
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Sales Director, Hale Koa Hotel
Carol Lau
Director
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Administrator, Comprehensive Family Care Center
New Hyde Park, NY 11040-3604
Kimberly Crozier Evans
Director
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Community Planner, Federal Aviation Administration
Marvin Kaleo Manuel
Director
Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
Acting Planning Program Manager, Department of Hawaiian Homelands
PA’I Board Member Kaleo Manuel named one of the 21 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leaders!
CLICK HERE to read more!
