Pono (pronounced [ˈpono])
Embedded in the Hawai‘i state motto, Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono, the concept of Pono is often translated as 'righteousness.' However, at Hula Anyone, we recognize Pono as a multi-dimensional mandate for balance, ethical integrity, and ancestral alignment. To us, being Pono means ensuring our organizational practices are in a state of 'perfect order'—harmonizing our cultural stewardship with social responsibility. We strive to be Pono by maintaining equitable access to the arts, fostering transparent community leadership, and ensuring that every modern interpretation of our craft remains rooted in the moral and spiritual excellence of our heritage.
MISSION STATEMENT
Hula Anyone Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) cultural arts organization dedicated to the preservation, education, and stewardship of Polynesian and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage, with a primary focus on the traditional and contemporary disciplines of Hula, Tahitian (ʻOri Tahiti) dance, language, and music. For over 60 years, our mission has been to foster community resilience, intergenerational mentorship, and cross-cultural equity by providing accessible cultural programming to the Central Coast. By blending ancestral foundations with modern interpretations—including the application of contemporary music to traditional dance forms—we ensure the continued vitality of Pacific Islander arts. Through our 'Bridge to Kaua'i' initiative, we provide critical scholarship support and educational residencies, ensuring that socioeconomic barriers do not impede the transmission of this living heritage. We are committed to sustainable cultural advocacy, social inclusion, and the empowerment of diverse AAPI communities and their allies through the transformative power of the Aloha Spirit.
Financial Transparency & Nonprofit Status 501(c)(3) Status
Hula Anyone Incorporated is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Your support directly funds:
Cultural Education: Providing traditional instruction to students of all ages.
The Scholarship Fund: Ensuring that financial barriers never prevent a dancer from participating in our cultural missions or the Eo e Emalani Festival.
Community Stewardship: Maintaining our 60-year tradition of offering blessings, chants, and performances for Santa Barbara’s maritime and local events.
Official Documentation
For our donors' records and peace of mind, we maintain full transparency regarding our federal standing. You may view or download our official IRS documentation below:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) & Non-Discrimination Policy
I. Our Commitment to Aloha and DEI Hula Anyone Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander and Polynesian culture. At the core of our mission is the spirit of Aloha—a commitment to mutual respect, compassion, and the active practice of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We believe that our "Ohana" is strengthened by the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences of every individual who joins our circle.
II. Policy Statement on Non-Discrimination Hula Anyone Inc. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
III. Advancing Equity and Inclusion We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and students. Our
DEI goals include:
Diversity: Actively welcoming a multi-generational and multi-cultural community of dancers from all walks of life.
Equity: Ensuring that our programs, performances, and public performances are accessible to all, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.
Inclusion: Cultivating a space where every voice—from Keiki to Kupuna—is heard, valued, and respected as a vital part of our cultural legacy.
IV. Equal Opportunity Hula Anyone Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment.
Hula Anyone Incorporated - Board of Directors
Angelita Eller - President & Executive Director
Cultural Practitioner, Master Hula Instructor (Kumu), Non-Profit Administrator, Community Advocate, Curriculum Developer, and Heritage Archivist
Cami (Wengler) Vignoe, Ph.D. - Vice President
Academic Counselor, Executive Career Coach, Associate Professor, HR Professional, Researcher, Writer and Storyteller
Angie Bell - Secretary
(Retired) Sales rep at Pacific Diagnostic laboratories
Santa Barbara, California, United States
Eileen Gamboa LONGORIA - Treasurer
Logistics & Operations Specialist, Executive Administrator, Healthcare Advocate, Data Analyst, and Procedural Strategist
Professional Fiscal Oversight
Certified Public Accounting (CPA) & External Financial Stewardship
Hula Anyone maintains a commitment to the highest standards of financial transparency and ethical governance. To ensure absolute fiscal integrity, all organizational accounting, tax compliance, and financial reporting are managed by an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Our external accounting partner provides rigorous oversight of our 501(c)(3) financial activities, including the preparation of annual filings, profit and loss (P&L) statements, and specialized tracking of our Scholarship Fund and Grant Allocations. By separating our cultural leadership from our financial auditing, we provide our donors and grantors with the assurance that every dollar contributed is managed with professional precision, procedural accuracy, and a total commitment to our mission of Pono.
Hula anyone incorporated annual impact report 2025 available upon request
Hula Anyone Incorporated: Conflict of Interest Policy
Article I: Purpose
The purpose of this conflict of interest policy is to protect the tax-exempt interest of Hula Anyone Incorporated when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Article II: Definitions
Interested Person: Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers,
who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
Financial Interest: A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:
An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement.
A compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement.
A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Article III: Procedures
Duty to Disclose: In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists: After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest:
An interested person may make a presentation at the board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
The chairperson of the board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
The board or committee shall determine whether the Organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.
Article IV: Records of Proceedings
The minutes of the board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:
The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest.
The content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
A record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.
Article V: Annual Statements
Each director, principal officer, and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy.
Has read and understands the policy.
Has agreed to comply with the policy.