Lulani Arquette, President & CEO

As president and CEO, Tara Lulani Arquette is responsible for strategic planning, resource development, day-to-day operations, developing programs and building partnerships.

Prior to joining the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation, Arquette spent four years as CEO and executive director of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA), a private, nonprofit organization committed to perpetuating Hawaiian culture and arts in tourism. In this capacity, Arquette was responsible for launching Cherish the Arts – Perpetuate Hawaiian Culture, a successful project supporting Native Hawaiian artists. She also supervised Ola Hawaii, a training program designed to develop cultural trainers and consultants. Overall, Arquette was responsible for leading the set-up of new offices, hiring new staff, developing funding sources and providing opportunities for Native Hawaiians and the tourism industry to partner together in mutually beneficial ways.

Prior to her position at NaHHA, Arquette led two other Hawaiian organizations, ALU LIKE, Inc. and the Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission. Through this work she supported Native Hawaiian social progress, economic development and self-determination.

Arquette’s past and present board affiliations include Insight Center for Community Economic Development, Hawaii Capitol Culture, Po‘okela Center for Culture & Arts, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Mililani Neighborhood Board, Organization of Women Leaders, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and others.

Arquette is Native Hawaiian and Caucasian. Her family comes from Hawai’i and South Dakota. Her Hawaiian ancestry has produced several generations of artists, including famous painters and carvers.