Vicky Holt Takamine

Vicky Holt Takamine is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received her BA & MA in Dance Ethnology from the University of Hawai’i.  In 1975, She graduated as kumu hula (master teacher of Hawaiian dance) through the ‘ûniki rituals of hula from Maiki Aiu Lake.  In 1977 she established Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima, a school of traditional Hawaiian dance.  In addition, she teaches hula at UH Manoa and Leeward Community College.  She is an advocate for the protection of native Hawaiian rights, the natural environment of Hawai’I and Hawaiian cultural resources.  She co-founded numerous organizations that carry out this mission, namely, ‘Îlio’ulaokalani Coalition, KAHEA:  The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance and PA’I Foundation.  Each year PA’I Foundation partners with other native Hawaiian organizations to produce the following events:

• MAMo: Maoli Arts Month (www.maoliartsmonth.org)  a celebration of native Hawaiian art and artists
• Hapa Haole Hula & Music Festival and Competition (www.hapahaolefest.org) a hula and vocal competition centered around hapa haole music and dance
• Ho’oulu Project (www.paifoundation.org) a scholarship program which sends native Hawaiian high school sophomores and juniors to Harvard Medical School for a three week intensive summer program