Innovative mele, lineage at heart of UH Hawaiian language play

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Link to video and sound (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/adk

***VOSOT script below for consideration***

This fall, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Theatre and Dance and Kennedy Theatre will premiere Puana, a hana keaka (Hawaiian Theatre) production that delves into the spiritual connections between Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) and their kūpuna (ancestors) through the power of song. Performed primarily in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), the play also commemorates the 10th anniversary of UH Mānoa's Hawaiian Theatre program.

Puana is a contemporary story of a group of musicians who uncover their genealogical connections through moʻokūʻauhau (family history) and poetic compositions. The innovative production is a collaboration between Hawaiian theatre and Ka Waihona A Ke Aloha, a project of the UH Mānoa Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language.

"This connection that we have with those that have come before, the connection that we have with our ancestors, we believe that they're always with us, we stand on their shoulders, and they continue to guide us as we move forward in our journeys," said Kumu Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker, founder of the Hawaiian Theatre program who wrote and directed the play. "Puana provides an opportunity for [Kānaka Maoli] to celebrate our musical legacy, to reflect on the accomplishments and skill of haku mele (music composition), and to build upon that legacy today."

Guided by kūpuna

The story follows a group of friends who are in a band as they discover that their creative journey is deeply rooted in their collective identity and ancestral legacy. As they explore their artistic paths, they come to realize the significance of their kūpuna and the enduring influence of their ancestors.

The hana keaka brings together an impressive creative team, such as UH Mānoa Hawaiian language professor, composer Kumu Hula R. Keawe Lopes, Jr., Kumu Hula Tracie Kaʻōnohilani Lopes, Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning musician Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, Moʻolono and playwright Kaipulaumakaniolono Baker, and Māori composer and recording artist Tawaroa Kawana.

"I'm excited about the magic that's going to happen. When all the various aspects of a production come together, it's so magical," said Baker. "We have amazing people on this project, and it's going to be amazing."

Ticket information

Ticket prices range between $5-$25 for performances September 27-28 and October 4-6. Purchases can be made anytime online or at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office starting September 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance. Educators interested in organizing field trips can reach out to [email protected].

For more go to the Kennedy Theatre website.

B-ROLL: (1 minute, 19 seconds)

:00-:30 Scenes from play rehearsal

:31-1:19 Musicians rehearsing

SOUNDBITES:

Ikaika Mendez/Student actor, UH Mānoa Hawaiian Theatre

(12 seconds)

"Sometimes a lot of people don't understand the ʻōlelo, the language but music is a universal language. You understand music even though it's in a different language. Because it's that emotion. It's the feeling."

Joshua "Baba" Tavares/Actor, UH Mānoa Hawaiian Theatre

(19 seconds)

"I think it's monumental in ways that will continue to expand throughout different generations and for times that are not even here yet. For future keiki, future Honaunau to be able to celebrate and be like, ʻEh, we can tell our stories and they're beautiful. They belong on stage and they belong on the screens.'"

Kaʻiukapu Baker/Student actor, UH Mānoa Hawaiian Theatre

(13 seconds)

"Attempting to create this new genre of mele Hawaiʻi is scary! It's really scary but it's a conversation that we need to have in order to evolve as a people and to evolve in our 'ike. Our 'ike is only going to grow stronger."

VOSOT SCRIPT

INTRO

A new Hawaiian language play will debut next weekend at UH Mānoa.

VO (pronunciation guide: Puana (POO-WAH-NAH)

Puana explores the spiritual connections between Native Hawaiians and their ancestors through mele, or song. The production also features award winning musicians who composed nearly two dozen original mele.

SOT

Ikaika Mendez/Student actor, UH Mānoa Hawaiian Theatre <"Sometimes a lot of people don't understand the ʻōlelo, the language but music is a universal language. You understand music even though it's in a different language. Because it's that emotion. It's the feeling.">

Butt with

Kaʻiukapu Baker/Student actor, UH Mānoa Hawaiian Theatre <"Attempting to create this new genre of mele Hawaiʻi is scary! It's really scary but it's a conversation that we need to have in order to evolve as a people and to evolve in our 'ike. Our 'ike is only going to grow stronger.">

VO

Past productions out of UH Mānoa's Hawaiian theatre department have earned national recognition. Puana opens at Kennedy Theatre next Friday and runs through October 6. For more information, head over to (station website).