She continued to sell her own bridal jewellery designs and taught jewellery-making to save some money to further her studies at the Art Students League of New York.
[7] In New York, Takahashi studied painting under US artists such as Harvey Dinnerstein, Ronnie Landfield, Daniel Greene and Mary Beth McKenzie at the League.
In November 2001, Takahashi showcased a series of expressionist oil paintings in her exhibition My Life as an Artist in Context with the Will of God at the Art Seasons Gallery.
[10] Known as Alaka’i Kapuananiokekukui Namiko, she directs the Singapore branch of a Hawaiian Hula Dance school called Laniakea, together with her husband.
[12] Charisse, a nude painting of a black woman representing "inner strength and determination of women of substance", was of Takahashi's friend and muse at the Art Students League of New York.