PAʻI Foundation

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”. Mission: To preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian arts and cultural traditions for future generations. Vision: To establish and maintain a sustainable Native Hawaiian arts and culture center in urban Honolulu.