Vicky Holt Takamine

Vicky Holt Takamine (Native Hawaiian) will develop new works in honor of Queen Lili’uokalani, the last queen of Hawai’i, with the support of a Native Hawaiian Artist Fellowship.

Vicky Holt Takamine is a respected kumu hula and cultural advocate, whose choreography, performances and tutelage have touched the lives of many and inspired next generations of culture makers. Takamine began studying the art of Hawaiian dance at the age of 12 and graduated through the rituals of hula in 1975. She opened her own school of dance in 1977 and has perpetuated oral traditions, language, history and cultural practices of Native Hawaiian people for over 30 years.

In 2001, Takamine founded the PA’I Foundation, a nonprofit created to support Native Hawaiian arts and cultures that produces the Maoli Arts Month cultural festival and annual fashion show each year under her direction. She earned a master of arts in theatre, dance and dance ethnology and a bachelor of arts in music both from the University of Hawaii, where she now teaches.

The Native Hawaiian Artist Fellowship from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation will allow Takamine to develop new works in honor of Queen Lili’uokalani, the last queen of Hawai’i. She will collaborate with other kumu hula, hālau and storytellers to research and bring to life chants and hula composed by and for Queen Lili. Takamine’s works will celebrate the queen’s life and accomplishments and be performed in memorial performances throughout 2017, the 100th year anniversary of the last queen’s death.