Name: Noe Tanigawa

Hometown: Aina Haina

Occupation: Artist working in paint, wax, radio, & video

Hobbies: Children, live music, gardening, swimming, yoga, reading, cooking, sunsets

Schooling: Punahou, B.S. in Painting from State University of New York, MFA from UH Manoa

Favorite Food(s): opihi, raw oysters, cheeses, wines, vodka infusions, creative salads, poke, squid luau, noodles of all kinds

Favorite Book(s): The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy comes to mind

Favorite Charity(s): Hawai’I Youth Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, the Contemporary Museum, Honolulu Academy of Arts,

Career Highlight(s): In radio, working for the New York Time’s Classical station WQXR in New York City and now, working at Hawai’I Public radio covering the arts and community life, plus doing this precious program with Visionary and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs—great opportunities to keep energy flowing in Hawai’i

2004 Edward R. Murrow Award for Regional Political Reporting
2008 L.A. Press Club National Award for Entertainment Journalism, Second Place

Hometown: Kalihi

Occupation: Executive Director, ‘Ilio’ulaokalani Coalition; Project Director, No Vote, No Grumble; Director, Prince Kuhio Festival; Radio Host – Na Kai Ewalu Radio Show

Hobbies: Kumu Hula, Spending time with my ‘ohana; Reading about success stories.

Schooling: Kamehameha Schools; Windward Community College; University of Hawai’I @ Manoa

Favorite Food(s): Hawaiian of course; Japanese

Favorite Book(s): Ruling Chiefs of Hawai’i and Nana I ke Kumu

Role Model(s): Joe Pickard; Vicky Holt-Takamine

Favorite Charity(s): Lunalilo Home; American Diabetes Association

Career Highlight(s): Producing Hawaiian Theme production/shows in Las Vegas; Being appointed the first student to serve on the Board of Regents for the University of Hawai’i.

Vicky Holt Takamine is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received her BA & MA in Dance Ethnology from the University of Hawai’i.  In 1975, She graduated as kumu hula (master teacher of Hawaiian dance) through the ‘ûniki rituals of hula from Maiki Aiu Lake.  In 1977 she established Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima, a school of traditional Hawaiian dance.  In addition, she teaches hula at UH Manoa and Leeward Community College.  She is an advocate for the protection of native Hawaiian rights, the natural environment of Hawai’I and Hawaiian cultural resources.  She co-founded numerous organizations that carry out this mission, namely, ‘Îlio’ulaokalani Coalition, KAHEA:  The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance and PA’I Foundation.  Each year PA’I Foundation partners with other native Hawaiian organizations to produce the following events:

• MAMo: Maoli Arts Month (www.maoliartsmonth.org)  a celebration of native Hawaiian art and artists
• Hapa Haole Hula & Music Festival and Competition (www.hapahaolefest.org) a hula and vocal competition centered around hapa haole music and dance
• Ho’oulu Project (www.paifoundation.org) a scholarship program which sends native Hawaiian high school sophomores and juniors to Harvard Medical School for a three week intensive summer program