We define our family, our ‘ohana, very broadly. It may have be begun with our parents and brothers and sisters, but it now includes hundreds of people who give us the support necessary for our creative endeavors.

– Hula Master Robert Cazimero

Seven and a half years ago, I could not believe that I was on stage with Kumu Robert Cazimero at The Power of Hula at Ellen Stewart Theatre. Now, we’ve done it again! Only this time, it was even better. To perform among a special collaboration between artists from Hawai’i and New York, under the guidance of Nā Kumu Hula Robert Cazmiero, Vicky Holt Takamine, Jeffrey Takamine, and Michael Pili Pang. Liliʻu: Tribute to a Queen was unlike any performance New York City has ever seen! It was an honor to be on stage and an experience that I will cherish and carry with me always.


January 16, 2018

Ellen Stewart Theatre | 66 E 4th Street; 2nd Floor
Tuesday at 7:30PM
$30 Tickets ($35 Day of Show);
$25 Seniors/Students ($30 Day of Show) (plus $1 Facility Fee)

By PUA ALIʻI ʻILIMA

On the eve of the 125th Anniversary of the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, PAʻI Foundation brings together artists from Honolulu and New York City to present an evening of mele (songs), oli (chants), hula (dance) and moʻolelo (stories) composed by and for the last Queen of Hawaiʻi. An accomplished musician, vocalist, choral director, prolific writer and composer of over 150 songs, Queen Liliʻuokalani (Liliʻu) reigned as queen from 1891 to 1893, when her Kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen, with the assistance of the United States military. Subsequently, the Hawaiian Islands were annexed de-facto in 1898 by the United States.

PAʻI presents Nā Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero & Vicky Holt Takamine along with members of their hālau, Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima o Nuioka and special guest artists: Kumu Hula Michelle Nālei Akina, Storyteller Moses Goods, Kaina Quenga, Kris Kato, B. Kainoa Embernate, Michael Keoni DeFranco, Andy Wang, Chris Davis, Claudia Goddard & The Gracious Ladies NYC.

This evening would not be possible without the generous support of MAPFUND, National Endowment for the Arts, Artworks, Ford Foundation, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, National Performance Network, Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust, Kamehameha Schools, United States Artists, Doris Duke Foundation, Hālāwai and La Mama Experimental Theatre Club.


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