Haumāna (students) open up the hō‘ike (show) with a hula to "No Luna I Ka Hale Kai."
The storyline of "E Paepae Hou ‘ia ka Pōhaku" is told through the experiences of four ‘ōpio (youths) who come together at a Hawaiian Renaissance Retreat.
Kāne (male) dancers perform to "Moku Kia Kahi"
Junior Michaela Cachola (left) plays the role of Cynthia Kākuhihewa, a young woman conflicted by wanting to understand her Hawaiian culture despite the disapproval of her father, played by junior James Shaw.
Musical director Herb Mahelona (front) leads our combo who provide live music for many of the numbers.
Student-group Harmonix with Kalā Muller perform "Ea" by Sudden Rush.
Freshman Blaise Cachola (center) plays the role of Kīhei Keawe, who confronts his father, Commander Peter Conrad (left, played by junior Bryn Witthans) about how he could work for the military while knowing what they had done to Kaho‘olawe.
Wahine dancers perform a hula to "Kaulana Nā Pua."
Junior Israel Mata (left) plays Manō Jacobson who learns about how his father, Jerry Jacobson (played by junior Thane-Maiko Brown), met his mother and how it was connected to the Hōkūle‘a’s maiden voyage to Tāhiti.
Junior Thane-Maiko Brown shares a dance to "Pagan Love Song" with junior Layn Taylor Glenn, recreating a moment from their character’s past and how they connected through the Hōkūle‘a voyage.
Dancers perform a hula to "Nā Pe‘a o Hōkūle‘a/Ho‘okele," sung by the class of 2016.
Freshman Tiari Fa‘agata (front) plays Pi‘ilani Johnson, who learns from her maternal ‘anakē (auntie) Meleana Kapoha (played by sophomore Alya-Joy Kanehailua) about the history of ‘Aha Pūnana Leo (APL) preschools and how the work of APL co-founder Larry Kimura the Hawaiian language preschools helped to revive ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language).
Kanehailua and dancers perform to "Kalākaua He Inoa."
Honoring the birth of ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, dancers perform to "Kulāiwi," which was sung by the Class of 2015.
The four principal characters close the play in recognition that they are the product of this renaissance and it is now their kuleana (responsibility) to carry the work that has been done even further.
Students and staff ask for author and visionary kumu Celeste Volivar-Fry to join them on stage to close the play and receive well-earned applause for this truly wonderful, powerful play.
