THE "BRIDGE TO KAUAI" SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Investing in the Next 60 Years of Cultural Excellence

Since 1968, Hula Anyone has never turned a student away due to financial hardship. As we prepare for our Diamond Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Eō e ʻEmalani i Alakaʻi Festival in Kauai, our mission is to ensure that every dancer—regardless of their economic background—can stand in the meadow and represent Santa Barbara.

The Need: Breaking the Financial Barrier

A cultural residency of this magnitude requires significant investment. For many of our families, the cost of airfare, high-altitude gear, and traditional regalia is a barrier that threatens to keep a talented dancer at home.

The Goal: To raise money specifically for the Scholarship Fund.

The Reach: This fund supports a multi-generational troupe, from our Keiki (youth) who are the future of the halau, to our Kupuna (elders) who carry our 60-year history.

What Your Gift Provides

The Regalia Fund: Provides a student with hand-crafted traditional implements and performance attire. $250

The Residency Fund: Covers the cost of specialized workshops and cultural education for one dancer. $500

The "Full Flight" Scholarship: Covers round-trip airfare and ground transportation for one student. $1,200

The "Legacy" Grant: Fully funds a student’s entire 10-day cultural residency and travel. $2,500

Why the Scholarship Matters

Hula is an oral tradition; it cannot be learned from a book. By funding a scholarship, you are facilitating a direct transmission of knowledge. Our scholarship recipients aren't just traveling; they are:

Representing Santa Barbara on a global stage.

Training with master kumu in the high-altitude Alaka‘i wilderness.

Returning to the 805 to teach the next generation what they have learned.

“Because of this fund, our history doesn’t stop at the shoreline. It crosses the ocean and comes back stronger.”

HULA ANYONE: A SANTA BARBARA LEGACY

Six Decades of Cultural Stewardship (1968 – 2026)

Hula Anyone is one of the oldest continuous indigenous arts organizations on the South Coast. Established in the late 1960s, our halau has served as the "Heartbeat of Aloha" for the 805, preserving the discipline, language, and grace of Pacific heritage through sixty years of Santa Barbara history.

A TIMELINE OF COMMUNITY IMPACT

1960s: THE FOUNDATION

Founded during Santa Barbara's cultural awakening, establishing a permanent home for traditional hula and Polynesian arts in the region.

1974: SOLSTICE PIONEERS

Participated in the inaugural Summer Solstice celebrations, beginning a 50+ year tradition of activating State Street through dance.

1980s: CIVIC ANCHORS

Became a staple of the Old Spanish Days (Fiesta) tradition, performing annually at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and the Mission.

1990s: INTERGENERATIONAL ROOTS

The halau begins teaching the "second generation," as the children of original 1960s students join the ranks, cementing the troupe as a family legacy.

2001: REBRANDING & GROWTH

Under current leadership, the halau expanded its community outreach, creating specialized programs for Kupuna (elders) and Keiki (youth).

2020-2022: RESILIENCE

Maintained community connectivity through the pandemic, providing outdoor "socially distanced" rehearsals at Leadbetter Beach to keep the spirit of the arts alive during a global crisis.

2026: THE DIAMOND JUBILEE

Celebrating nearly 60 years of service with an invitation to represent Santa Barbara at the Eō e ʻEmalani i Alakaʻi Festival in Kauai.

OUR CORE KULEANA (RESPONSIBILITY)

As we head into our 60th year, our mission remains unchanged: To ensure the spirit of the Pacific remains a vibrant, accessible, and respected part of the Santa Barbara identity. Our pilgrimage to Kauai is the next step in ensuring this legacy thrives for the next 60 years.