The Global Center of the Doris Duke Foundation Based in Honolulu Deepens Commitment to Hawai‘i Through Appointment of Revered Native Hawaiian Kumu Hula
Honolulu, HI (October 17, 2024) — Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design, a center of the Doris Duke Foundation, is honored to announce cherished Kumu Hula (master teacher of Hawaiian hula) Victoria “Vicky” Holt Takamine as the center’s guiding Native Hawaiian Cultural Adviser. In this role, Takamine will help to incorporate traditional practices, knowledge and values of the Native Hawaiian culture throughout the center’s programs and events.
An alum of Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai‘i, Takamine holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dance ethnology. In 1975, Takamine underwent ʻūniki (graduated through the rituals of hula) to become a Kumu Hula from hula master Maiki Aiu Lake and established her own hālau (hula school), Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima, in 1977. Takamine is recognized as a Native Hawaiian leader for her role as an advocate for the protection of Native Hawaiian rights, social justice issues and the protection of the natural and cultural resources of Hawai‘i. She is the co-founder and executive director of PA‘I Foundation, an arts organization that was established to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian cultural traditions for future generations.
“Shangri La exists because of Doris Duke’s deep and abiding passion for Hawai‘i, its people and its culture,” said Sam Gill, president and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation. “I can think of no one better than a revered Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (Native Hawaiian) like Kumu Vicky to enrich Doris Duke Foundation’s essential connection to our community and its proud traditions.”
Since 2013, Takamine has collaborated with previous Shangri La Artists-in-Residence including Anita Vallabh on “Suzani: A Weaving of Traditions,” a multicultural performance that underscored the significance of cross-cultural connections between Hawai‘i and South Asian, Southwest Asian and North African cultures. The choreography combined the inherent beauty and power of traditional Bharatanatyam dance and Hawaiian hula in a genre-defying work of art. In 2022, Takamine made her return to Shangri La with her hālau and son Jeff Takamine as an artist for the center’s 8x8 exhibition, producing “Ō Mai O Kalākaua,” a suite of traditional oli (chant) and hula pahu (musical accompaniment drum) in honor of King David Kalākaua in response to the international relationships established with countries around the world, specifically the diplomatic ties between the Hawaiian Kingdom and the Qajar Dynasty in Iran highlighted as part of Shangri La’s tour programming.
“Anyone who meets Kumu Vicky is immediately struck by her wealth of knowledge and love for sharing the culture and stories of Hawai‘i to deepen understanding and appreciation of the islands’ rich heritage,” said Shangri La Executive Director Ben Weitz. “It is a great privilege to have Kumu Vicky guiding Shangri La’s staff to maximize opportunities in weaving Hawai‘i into all that we do for our communities. Her aloha is contagious, and we are humbled to have her expertise amplify Hawaiian knowledge across the Doris Duke Foundation.”
As a center of the Doris Duke Foundation, Shangri La hosts convenings and events in conjunction with the foundation’s five national programs — bringing in influential leaders of their respective fields from both inside Hawai‘i and across the continental United States as well as internationally. Takamine and PA‘I Foundation have facilitated Native Hawaiian arts and culture sessions for convening attendees. Her work at Shangri La is also focused on deepening Shangri La’s fluency in Hawaiian history and culture. PAʻI has received multiple grants from the Doris Duke Foundation; additionally, a Doris Duke Foundation program-related investment supported the development of the new PAʻI Arts & Cultural Center at Ola Ka ʻIlima Artspace Lofts in Kakaʻako.
“I continue to be inspired by Shangri La, its history and dedication to Islamic art and culture,” said Kumu Hula Victoria “Vicky” Holt Takamine. “It is a privilege for me to work alongside the Shangri La staff to be able to share the rich cultural traditions, mo‘olelo (stories) and history of Hawaiʻi to develop a stronger pilina (connection) between Shangri La, the ‘āina (land) and the people of Hawai‘i.”
ABOUT THE DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION
The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. For more information, visit www.dorisduke.org or @dorisdukefdn on Instagram.
ABOUT SHANGRI LA
Itself a work of art, Shangri La is a center of the Doris Duke Foundation that convenes conversations of local and global significance through its residencies, exhibitions and community programs. Shangri La’s approach to art reflects our entire organization’s commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice as ongoing active engagements represented in all that we do. For more information, visit www.shangrilahawaii.org or @hi_shangrila on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.