Video from the Friday night performance of Hōʻike is now on YouTube.
Watch Kū I Ka Mana's Friday Night Show
March 22,
2024
For Hōʻike this year, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Campus High School reprised the rock opera Kū I Ka Mana, last on stage for Hōʻike 2018. Kū I Ka Mana dramatizes, in music and dance, the political intrigue behind and the events leading up to the election of 1874. It's a tale of choices made, unity forged, and resilience displayed by our kūpuna. You can watch the Friday night performance now on the Kamehameha Schools YouTube channel.
2024 marks the 150th anniversary of that pivotal event in Hawaiʻi history. After the death of King William Charles Lunalilo left the Kingdom of Hawai‘i without an appointed successor to the throne, an election was held in 1874. In the running was the charismatic David Kalākaua and beloved by the people, Queen Emma Rooke.
The heavily contested election set the stage for more involvement in politics by everyday Hawaiians, while the aliʻi came together after the election to rule under a united front.
There’s was also a new twist for Hōʻike this year – a class competition. Each class was responsible for a song from the rock opera and a corresponding hula which was judged over the course of the two performances. The winner is revealed at the end of this video
The entire production was accompanied by members of the high school band and concert glee.
CREDITS:
Music by Herb Mahelona
Libretto by Eric Stack
Directed by ʻAlohi De Lima and Eric Stack
Cast
Emcee - TEHANI KEKUAWELA
William Charles Lunalilo - JET’AIME COLOMA-NAKANO
David Kalākaua - IKAIKA STONE
Bernice Pauahi Bishop - JULIE NACIONALES
Emma Rooke - MAKAMAE PAHINUI
Lydia Kamaka‘eha - BROOKLYNN LUMANLAN
Ruth Ke‘elikōlani - SERENITY LUTA
Charles Reed Bishop - JHAYDEN MATA
Walter Murray Gibson (“Kipikona”) - MICAH STEVENS
DKs: HOPE ARTHUR, BRADY GONZALEZ, ‘AWAPUHI KALIMA-MARTIN, LILINOE KLASK, PŪLAMA LAFAELE, MALINA MARTINSON, and KENDRA RYAN
Emmaites: KINSEY CAMPBELL, ELENA DINKEL, AALIYAH KOYANAGI, KAYANA MALUO, ‘AILANI MARTINSON, JACI MORALES, BELLA PAEKUKUI JACKSON, MOANILEHUA SHIMOSE
Solo Hula Dancer - KA‘ŌIWI JEONG
Nā Kumu Hula: Liʻi Goodhue, Kuʻuhiapo Jeong, Piʻilani Kaʻawaloa, Kēhau Kalili, Noʻeau Kalima
Lead Choreographer: Kea Kapahua
Choreographers: Aerin Alexander, Jordan Ancheta, Savannah Christensen, Jenn Eng, Loreal Gonzales, Abigail Lewine, Kayana Maluo, ʻAilani Martinson, Kara Murphy, Andre Reneau, Keaheakekehau Ross
Additional Hula Choreography by Kaʻōiwi Jeong and Tehani Kekuawela
Costume Design: Lee Barnette Dombrowski
Costume Creation and Assitance: Roberta Bennett, Jetʻaime Coloma-Nakano, Vanessa Correria, Lucas Godoy, Fumiko Izumi-Pacheco, Connie Leyendecker, Kawehi Nguyen, Darlene Wolf
Choral Teachers: Kelly-Jean Miral, Josh Payne, Jameson Sato, Damien Stack, Miranda Taylor
Band Teacher: Willie Harris
Set Design: Eric Stack
Set Construction: Jonathan Kua, Mark MacInnis, Moke Riveira, and Eric Stack
Lighting Design: Mike Dombrowski
Lighting & Sound: Show Systems Hawaii
Rigging: Waimea Music Center
Sound Assistant: Satomi Loo
Props Manager: Sarah Lee
Stage Crew: Emma Erbe, Maile Hokoana, ʻAlohilani Lage, Aaliyah Lorenzo, Carmen Mangibin, Marley Osorio, Maile Podlewski
Video and Publicity: Shaun Chillingworth
