February 3, 2012
Contributed by Thomas Yoshida
The vivid re-enactment of the discussions and actions that eventually resulted in Hawai'i becoming a territory of the United States is presented by the Hawai'i Pono'ī Coalition and the Biographical Research Center, and co-sponsored by the Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, with funding from the Hawai'i Council for the Humanities. Admission is free; reservations are strongly recommended.
"This living history portrays the points of view of both the proponents of annexation and the members of the Hawaiian Patriotic Leagues who fought against it. The Biographical Research Center is proud to help present engaging fact-based portrayal of a turning point in the history of Hawai'i," said CBR Director Craig Howes.
Drawing on primary historical documents—debate transcripts, newspaper reports, and personal correspondence—playwright Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl uses costumed role-players to present the perspectives of Hawaiian patriotic leaders Kaulia and Nāwahī, as well as Senator Richard F. Pettigrew (South Dakota), Senator John Tyler Morgan (Alabama), William O. Smith (Republic of Hawai'i), and San Francisco journalist and feminist Miriam Michelson.
"This presentation takes place in the historic courtroom of the Judiciary History Center in Ali'iōlani Hale, which makes it even more meaningful," said Hawai'i Pono'ī Coalition member Yuklin Aluli, Nāwahī's great-niece. "Ali'iōlani Hale served as the legislature for the Kingdom of Hawai'i, and it was in this building that Queen Lili'uokalani proposed a new constitution for the Kingdom of Hawai'i, touching off the events that led to her overthrow and eventually to annexation."
After each presentation, Hawaiian historians and political scientists Leilani Basham, Davianna P. McGregor, Jonathan K. Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio and Noenoe Silva will lead the audience in a discussion of these events of the 1890s that profoundly shaped Hawai'i's future. Detailed Viewers' Guides will provide background information, interpretive essays, and translations of Hawaiian language documents from the period.
Performance dates and times:
Thursday-Saturday, February 23-25, 2012
7:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
2:00 p.m.
Judiciary History Center
Ali'iōlani Hale
417 South King Street
Admission: free
Reservations are strongly recommended.
Please call: 534-8880
The Hawai'i Pono'ī Coalition is a consortium of Native Hawaiian-serving organizations dedicated to presenting Hawai'i's true history to all who live in and visit the islands.
The Biographical Research Center is a non-profit organization in the State of Hawai'i to support research, study, discussion, and dissemination of information about life writing.
Mai Poina: The Annexation Debates is the second in a series of programs co-presented by HPC and BRC. For the past three years, the organizations have presented the Mai Poina living history walking tour tracing four pivotal days leading up to and including the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. "The Annexation Debate" was first presented in 1998 as part of Kaulana Nā Pua, an Exhibit and related programs about the Petitions Against Annexation, held at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
