How Tala Mai Moana Began
Tala Mai Moana began in June 2012 in Riverside, on Cahuilla/Serrano Territory, out of a deep-felt need for community and belonging. Its founder and creative director, Elaine Talamaivao, had moved to Southern California and realized something important was missing: While there were many Polynesian dance groups in the Inland Empire, most were focused on entertainment or competition preparation for big festivals. There wasn't a space that truly embodied the spirit of whānau, ohana, or aiga — the Pacific values of coming together as family to share stories, culture, and connection through movement and song.
Elaine wanted more than just performance: She wanted a community-centered space where people could reconnect with their roots, share ancestral knowledge, and find home. Because a welcoming, affordable space was hard to come by, the very first gatherings happened in a church hall in Riverside — simply because it was the only venue available at the time. From those humble beginnings, students and Pasefika navigators — individuals seeking to reconnect, connect, or simply feel at home — became the heart and pulse of what Tala Mai Moana would grow to be.
Over time, that circle of learning and belonging expanded. Every time someone from the wider Moana Nui Ākea community — whether visiting for work, for conferences, for exchange, or simply in town — entered that circle, Tala Mai Moana became woven into their cultural journey. It became part of their wayfinding, their learning, and often, their breath of home far from the islands. And more than a decade later, Tala Mai Moana continues to thrive, creating space that reaches beyond the borders of land and sea.
Rooted in Culture. Built for Community.
Tala Mai Moana is more than a cultural arts organization. We are a living space for storytelling, learning, creativity, leadership, and connection—honoring ancestral knowledge while creating meaningful experiences for today's communities and generations to come.
Culture as a Living Practice
We approach Pacific culture as something lived, shared, and carried forward. Through movement, storytelling, language, kapa/tapa, creative arts, and cultural education, ancestral knowledge becomes meaningful to today's communities.
Identity, Belonging & Connection
Our work creates spaces where people can explore identity, strengthen belonging, and build meaningful relationships—with culture, community, and one another.
Learning Across Generations
From Island Vibes Summer Camp and community workshops to college curriculum and university courses, we create culturally grounded learning experiences for children, families, students, educators, and lifelong learners.
Stories Brought to Life
Through keynote performances, conferences, festivals, exhibitions, and interactive cultural experiences, we bring Pacific stories into spaces where they can be seen, heard, felt, and shared.
Leadership, Wellness & Mana Wahine
Our work extends beyond the arts into culturally grounded leadership, wellness, and professional development—including intentional spaces that uplift women and working mothers as they navigate identity, family, leadership, and the workplace.
Partnership With Purpose
We collaborate with schools, universities, cities, nonprofits, arts institutions, and community organizations to create programs and experiences shaped by the people and communities we serve.