Oct. 18, 2022

PAʻI Foundation has partnered with Kamehameha Schools to offer Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke, a grant program aimed at cultivating ‘ōiwi leaders by elevating Native Hawaiian artists, cultural bearers and cultural practitioners. Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke is the first of three award programs to be offered under PAʻI’s ʻŌiwi Leadership Fund.

“We are honored to partner with Kamehameha Schools to offer Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike,” said Vicky Holt Takamine KSK’65, executive director of PAʻI Foundation and kumu hula of Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima. “This partnership allows PAʻI to reinforce our mission to preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian cultural traditions for future generations by establishing the ʻŌiwi Leadership Fund. PAʻI programs like Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke create opportunities to engage in a cultural practice, deepen Native Hawaiian identity, and develop a sense of purpose and kuleana to the lāhui.”

Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke will provide award grants of up to $2,500 to be shared by a kumu and haumāna to support and strengthen knowledge and skills in a specific cultural practice; sustain the cultural practice; and through the cultural practice cultivate ʻōiwi leaders. Acceptable use of the funds would be to support cultural learning in the form of tuition/fees for classes, supplies, equipment, tools and/or instruments deemed necessary for development in the practice.

About PAʻI
PAʻI is the acronym for Pua Ali‘i ʻIlima, the hālau hula founded in 1977 by kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine. PA‘I’s mission is to preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian cultural traditions for future generations. 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 Hawai‘i that are vital to the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian cultural traditions.