Keoni Manuel
President / Creative Director
Kumu Keoni brings a life time 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 ball room 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 Spectular luaus from the beach. Hawaii’s mixture of cultures and identity blends us all into ohana.
“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.
“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.”
David Whitney
Secratary/Treasure - Executive Director
David has spent decades in the theater, 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 reasources. I am commited to providing transparency and integrety to the process. We are commited 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 of 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.”