Our Mission is to Perpetuate the Multicultural Heritage of Hawaiʻi Through Dance and Arts.

Join us at Wonderful World of Aloha Cultural Dance and Activity Center in Maui. Guests can attend live performances or participate in dance classes, crafting, and music lessons.

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What We Offer

Cultural Dance Classes

Our classes offer a fun and culturally enriching experience for all ages. Instructors will guide you through the basic movements of many vibrant dance styles including Hula, Ori Tahiti and Filipino dances.

Live Performances

Experience exciting and colorful performances of the dances and music of Hawaii’s diverse people and those imported by the migrant cultures of Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and Mexico.

Music Lessons

Learn the history, techniques, and rhythm of the Ukulele, the dramatic Tahitian drum, or the uniquely Korean-style drum. No experience necessary - come join us for a fun and rhythmic experience!

Craft Classes

Learn to craft a Kukui Nut, Lauhala, or Ti Leaf bracelet, or attend a Wood Carving Demo. You'll create beautiful keepsakes and learn about their cultural significance and importance in Hawaiian tradition.

Get Involved

Donate

Your support goes to sustaining the practical work it takes to perpetuate the culture, arts, and dance of the peoples of Hawai'i.

Contribute to our General Fund and youʻll be supporting our over-all mission. You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring donations.

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Volunteer

Would you like to make a social impact and earn incentives?

We are seeking general volunteers to assist with event and admin tasks, writers to create content for our blog, virtual assistants to help with social media efforts and photographers to capture footage of our events.

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Work With Us

If you’re a cultural practitioner interested in partnering with us to support our mission to "Perpetuate the Multicultural Heritage of Hawaiʻi Through Dance and Arts,” we’d love to hear from you!

We seek those who can share their knowledge of music, dance, craft-making, storytelling, and more.

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About Us

Oni Foundation Inc. is a Registered 501c3 (509a2). We cultivated a Wonderful World of Aloha cultural activity center located in Maui where guests can attend 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 Hawaiʻi. Born and raised. My family were ballroom dancers. I fell in love with dance and Hula at an early age.

“Oni Foundations mission is to keep cultural arts in the public eye and consciousness – If it is not shared with the world it can be lost.

“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. Hawai'i’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 Hawaiʻi.

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.”