Our Mission is to Inspire Creativity and Cultural Awareness Through the Arts.
Support us by making a donation. Funds will be used to sustain our facility and support our mission to provide ongoing community enrichment through multicultural dance, crafts, and presentations.
What We Do
Cultural Dance Classes
We provide dance classes from Polynesia, Asia, and Euro-American cultures, including Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and Mexico.
Events & Workshops
These include crafting costumes from the cultures if Hawaii, music workshops to learn instruments from around the Pacific and lectures by cultural practitioners who share the history & impact of migrations.
Exhibits
Explore the rich history and migrations of Hawaii through our collection of artifacts, instruments, and costumes representing the various cultures that have migrated to Hawaii.
Live Perfomances
Experience exciting and colorful performances of the dances and music of Hawaii’s diverse people, as well as those imported by migrant cultures.
About Us
Oni Foundation Inc. is a Registered 501c3 (509a2). We cultivated a Cultural Activity Center located in Maui where guests can attend one of our regularly scheduled Crafting, Dance or Music Activities which include Ukulele, Salsa and Language lessons, History presentations, Lauhala weaving, Tahitian Drumming, Polynesian Dance Fitness, and more.
Challenge
For most of Maui’s visitors the only cultural experience they’ll have is at a $250 luau. The most authentic experiences remain out of reach, out of sight. This is especially true for thousands of Kahului Cruise Ship Passengers who disembark with no visitor-specific engagement, activity, or destination.
Solution
Create a Destination Experience in Kahului. Offer Accessible, Informal, Introductory cultural dance and arts classes, workshops, and exhibitions. Hui with varied cultural experts and practitioners from around the state and Oceania. Offer tailored programs to attract cruise ship passengers.
Priority
We look to serve the community at large as well as community organizations that align and seek to perpetuate traditional cultural experiences. We ultimately look to reach Kama ʻaina Families and Cultural Activity Seekers who become regular participants in our mission.
Meet the Team
Keoni Manuel
President / Creative Director
Kumu Keoni brings a lifetime of dance and cultural performance to his position. His global contacts spread through the tourism industry.
“I am a product of Hawaii. Born and raised. My family were ballroom dancers. I fell in love with dance and Hula at an early age. My stomping ground was Waikiki of the 1970’s and 80’s and watched the spectacular luaus from the beach.
“I live to share the beautiful dance and music of Polynesia and the various cultures that make Hawaii home, that makes me me, that makes us us. Hawaii’s mixture of cultures and identity blends us all into ohana.”
David Whitney
Secretary/Treasure - Executive Director
David has spent decades in the theater, and film production. He has been Aumakua Productions’ CFO since 2013; and successfully guided Aumakua through the pandemic, and to thrive on the other side.
“We intend Oni Foundation to become a hub for cultural resources. I am committed to providing transparency and integrity to the process.
We are committed to providing support to individuals and entities that align with our mission, who perpetuate and provide public access to the multicultural heritage of Hawai’i.”
Ku'ulei Pridgen
Vice President
Ku’ulei is part of an entertainment family. She brings decades of practice, understanding, and passion for cultural dance.
“My whole family going back generations, to my own children have been born and raised in dance and music of Hawaii.
My whole family have commited our lives to giving music and dance back to the community. I love to see joy in Kamaʻāina and visitors when they experience the music and dance the way we do.”
DONATE
Support our mission to perpetuate cultural dance in the modern world.
“Oni Foundation's mission is to keep cultural arts in the public eye and consciousness – If it is not shared with the world it can be lost."
-Keoni Manuel
Contact Us
Reach out if you have any questions, or to learn more about how you can get more involved. Oni Foundation is seeking like-minded individuals to join us in inspiring and educating future ambassadors of cultural dance in Hawaii.
Phone: 808-868-0400
Hours of Operation: Mon to Sun 10AM to 4PM
Email: inquiries@onifoundation.org
Mailing Address: PO Box 69, Wailuku, Hawaii, 96793
Location
Our Wonderful World of Aloha cultural activity center is located in the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center at 275 W Ka'ahumanu Ave, Kahului, HI, 96732. You can find us on the 2nd level, next to Fun Factory.
Oni Foundation Inc. is a Registered 501c3 (509a2) in the state of Hawaii. ©2024 All Rights Reserved.
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