Pa‘a ke Kahua, Eia ke Kūkulu
Hawaiian Theatre at UH Mānoa

An integrated mo‘olelo of the history and current practice of the Hawaiian Theatre Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Dr. Haili‘ōpua Baker and her haumāna, Akea Kahikina, Hi‘ilani Kim-Dela Cruz Okimura, Iāsona Kaper, Kaipulaumakaniolono, and Kamoani‘ala Tavares, share the mo‘olelo, scholarship and creative contributions that they bring to the stage. This plenary presentation celebrates the establishment of a kahua for Hawaiian-medium theatre and looks to the current and future kūkulu.

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Nā Huliau: Turning Points on Stage

For over a decade, the Hawai‘i Pono‘ī Coalition has produced living history plays by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl. These three Hawaiian plays each examine a significant turning point of the late 19th century: the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893, the 1895 military tribunal following the unsuccessful effort to restore Queen Liliu‘okalani to the throne, and the Native Hawaiian struggle against the 1898 annexation of the so-called Republic of Hawai‘i to the United States. 

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Following monologs from the three plays performed by actors John Wat, Wil Kahele, Mathias Maas, Craig Howes, Lala Buzzell, and Maki‘ilei Ishihara, a panel of Native Hawaiian scholars  representing three generations of scholarship—Kawēlauokealoha Wright, Kealani Cook, and Noenoe K. Silva—offer responses to the theatrical presentation, and reflect on what can be learned from the past, as Hawai‘i nears potential turning points now.

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Hauʻoli Lā Hānau e Liliʻuokalani

E ʻOnipaʻa Kākou – Let us be steadfast together. Join us in our virtual event from the ʻIolani Palace as we celebrate our Queen Liliʻuokalani on her beloved birthday.  We honor her with mele, oli, pule, hula, palace tours, and hoʻokupu from each island. Queen Liliʻuokalani continues to uplift and inspire us to Onipaʻa – to be "steadfast" in our lives and resolve to care for our beloved homeland and its people. 

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Co-hosts: Meleanna Meyer, Malia Nobrega-Olivera
Participants: Kekai Mahiʻai, Kawika Mersberg, Paula Akana,  Moanikeʻala Nanod-Sitch, Tracie Lopes, Haweo Lopes, 

Karen Keawehawaii, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, Starr Kalahiki,

Kaniaulono Hāpai, Kūhaʻo Regidor, Keanokualani Perreira, Keanokualani Perreira, Hāʻenaala Hāpai, Kūaea Hāpai,  Brad Watanabe, Lolena Nicholas, Maliʻikapu Ikaika Bantolina, ʻOhana Bumanglag & Siunwould, Manawai Olanalan, Heumanulaʻi Castillo-Taniguchi, Hui Pulapula – Kanuikapono PCS.

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Nānā i ke Kumu: A Healer in Every Home

Nānā i ke Kumu no ke Kūkulu Kaiaulu – Look to the source for building community. Join us for a panel of cultural offerings and conversation aligning with ‘ike Hawai’i—Hawaiian wisdom and spiritual tradition(s) along with Ho’opono & Ho’oponopono- the practice of making right, setting one’s course towards righteous actions to return balance to our families. This is a critical practice for healing our communities today from historical and cultural trauma.

Practitioners Malina Kaulukukui, Manulani Meyer, and Kaʻaiʻai Paglinwan will offer insights into this profoundly important traditional practice that has made a resurgence in the Hawaiian community through the tireless efforts of their Kumu Lynette Paglinawan. Kahu Moani N. Sitch offers her insights about forgiveness as a spiritual practitioner in community. Meleanna Meyer (also a haumana ho’oponopono ) will moderate.

     By educating ourselves about Hawai’i’s past history, we can, as community and family, work to develop and strengthening personal, familial and community bonds, to more readily create meaningful, healing conversations and actionable work towards justice—and ties with others throughout Hawai’i and the world.

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Resources and Values
Turning to Our Strengths

Responding to this time of Hulihia, the turning over of all things, this panel of community builders—Kamana Beamer, Kehau Abad, Keani Rawlins, and Aiko Yamashiro—will discuss where the threats we face to our health, safety, and sense of right action, or pono, might lead us during these most difficult times. Ikaika Hussey will moderate, challenging the group with the following question: Pehea lā ke kanaka i ‘apo ‘ia ai e ka ‘āina? How are we Kānaka perceived by the land? Might we arrive at novel and productive insights if indeed we ask how we might be viewed by the most sentient being of all--papa honua, or mother earth? How can we respond to her, through the work that we do on a daily basis, and turn her strengths and our own into the resources needed to let the values of care for the land and one another flourish? 

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Community Building
Turning Toward Each Other

Also responding to the challenge of Hulihia, of the turning up of things, this panel of members from various faith communities and traditions--Dean Jon Osorio, Rev. David Turner, Dr. Dawn Morais,—will take a deeper dive into the question of what it means to turn toward each other, in these times that call for agency and change. Maya Soetoro-Ng will be this panel’s moderator.

Many churches and faith communities are seeking leadership and support to help navigate this painful time of apparent chaos. A key question for this panel to address will be “What will it take to begin again now, in ways that open futures rather than continue to foreclose them?”

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Perspectives on Infectious Disease
Through the Eyes of Historians

10:00am HST - History of Epidemics in Hawai’i

What lessons can be learned by looking at the epidemics and public health measures undertaken in the 19th century by ali’i and other Hawaiian community leaders? Presented by Dr. Isaiah Walker.

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Dr. Isaiah Helekūnihi Walker was born and raised in Keaukaha, Hilo, Hawaiʻi. Currently a professor and department chair in the History Department where he teaches World, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islands history, professor Walker is the author of the book Waves of Resistance: Surfing and History in Twentieth-Century Hawaii.

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11:00am HST - Hawaii’s Hospitals of the Past

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Dr. Jerry Walker is an ‘ōlohe lua, an historian, genealogist, retired public health administrator, and co-author of Kamehameha’s Children Today and The Art of Lua.

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Perspectives on Infectious Disease
Epidemics As Told in Literature

7pm HST - He Noiʻina Maʻi: No Ka Maʻi Ahulau

Join us for Nūpepa accounts of epidemics in Hawai‘i presented by Kahikinaokalā Domingo and Saige Leikuluwaimaka Meleiseā as they explore what we can learn about epidemics and public health measures through Hawaiian language newspapers.

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7:45 PM - Olivia, A Life of Exile in Kalaupapa

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Stay with us for a reading of “Olivia - My Life of Exile in Kalaupapa”, is a memoir by Hawaii’s celebrated leprosy activist Olivia Robello Breitha (1916-2006). Olivia’s memoir chronicles her personal and medical history from the age of eighteen, when she was first diagnosed with leprosy in 1930s Honolulu. Excerpts to be read by Deanna Espinas, followed by a Q&A with Olivia's cousin and playwright, Lorenzo DeStefano.

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Liliʻu Project & Youth Operas

Get an inside look at the  “Lili’u Project” featuring the work of University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa’s Creative Media Arts Department. The film is projected to be released in 2023.

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Enjoy selected scenes from Nā Uhane a me Ka Huakaʻi O Ka Pō  with Kimo Keaulana and the youth opera Ulu Tree composed by Herb Mahelona for Lili’uokalani.

Mele Lāhui - E Mele Kākou

Join us for the virtual Ahe Lau Makani Festival a community concert sing-along featuring: Music for and compositions of her Royal Majesty Liliʻuokalani. Everyone will be able to download a music packet with their program of the concert. This Community sing-along will be interspersed with featured performances by vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles.  Be ready to MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER!!

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