ABOUT THE HĀLAU

  • Named Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima by Vicky's kumu hula, Maiki Aiu Lake.
  • Established in 1977.
  • Translates to "Royal ʻIlima Blossom", which alludes to Vicky's graduation from Maiki's Papa ʻIlima (ʻilima class) as well as her royal Hawaiian ancestry.
  • Led by both Vicky Holt Takamine and her son Jeffrey Kānekaʻiwilani Takamine.
  • Competed at the Merrie Monarch Festival in 2024 for the first time in nearly 40 years.
  • Many Hālau members also work and support the PAʻI Foundation and the PAʻI Arts & Culture Center.

KUMU VICKY HOLT TAKAMINE

Vicky Holt Takamine is a renowned kumu hula (master teacher of Hawaiian dance). She is recognized as a native Hawaiian leader for role as an advocate for social justice issues, the protection of native Hawaiian rights, and the natural and cultural resources of Hawai‘i.

In 1975, Vicky ʻūniki (graduated through the rituals of hula) as a kumu hula from hula master Maiki Aiu Lake.  She then established her own hālau, Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima, (school of Hawaiian dance) in 1977.

Vicky went on to earn her BA & MA in dance ethnology from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.  In addition to teaching her own school, Vicky lectured at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa and Leeward Community College for more than 35 years.  

KUMU JEFFREY KĀNEKAIWILANI TAKAMINE

ROOTS | VALUES | PRINCIPLES

Jeffrey Kānekaiwilani Takamine graduated as kumu hula (master teacher of Hawaiian dance) through the ‘ūniki rituals of hula from Vicky Holt Takamine in 2007. The youngest of her three sons, Jeff has been chanting since the age of three. While constantly immersed in the hula lifestyle since birth, he formally began hula dancing when he was 14 and began dancing professionally at 16. He has assisted with teaching alongside his mother since he was 17.

Noted as an exceptional chanter, Jeffrey was invited to participate in the State Foundation of Hawaiian Culture and Arts’ Folk Arts Apprenticeship program to study oli with master chanter and kumu hula Kalani Akana.

Kumu Jeffrey has established a reputation of creativity with a unique style of teaching and is acknowledged by members of the hula community to be a hula authority of the next generation.  

JOIN HĀLAU PUA ALIʻI ʻILIMA

Applications status: CLOSED

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