May. 10, 2024

Capping off a busy spring season of performances our Kula Kiʻekiʻe Hōʻike a Haʻi performing arts club will stage a special Hawaiian language play, Punikawā for two shows May 17-18 in the William Charles Lunalilo Center. 

Living in a parallel universe where the overthrow was averted, Punikawā, a student at the Queen’s High School, dreams of playing on the Hawaiian National Volleyball team and winning the Olympic gold medal. When her boyfriend asks her to help his sister overcome a crisis, Punikawā is transported into the past where she is confronted with the problems and prejudices of 19th Century Hawaiʻi. Desperate to return to her own time, Punikawā encounters many obstacles, one of which deals with young Princess Pauahi’s decision on whom to marry. When asked for her advice, Punikawā is split between being disingenuous and returning home safely, or being honest and perhaps never seeing her friends again.

Originally presented as a school Hōʻike in 2012, Punikawā featured the very beginnings of what would become the KS Hawaiʻi High School’s Hawaiian Opera series.

Punikawā will have two showings on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets are just $5 with a $25 VIP Early Admission package and can be purchased via the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi GoFan page. 

Punikawā Cast List
Cast	Role
Pūlama Lafaele	Punikawā Pemberton
Loheau Boshard	Leole'a Pierce
Tehani Kekuawela	Kaumāliekalā Pierce
Malina Martinson	Kāpakakapa 'Ōmaka
Jaci Morales	Bernice Pauahi
Paige Yanagawa	Emma Rooke
Ikaika Stone	Lot Kapuāiwa
Kalamakua Buckley Francisco	John Jasper
Jhayden Mata	Charles Reed Bishop
Kayana Maluo	Jane Loeau Jasper
Taylor Mendoza	Lydia Kamaka'eha
Veda Lee	Maureen/Brannan
Carmen Mangibin	Cook
Dynasty Amaral	Mrs. Cooke
Bella Paekukui-Jackson	Abigail Maheha
Brookylnn Lumanlan	Gunderson
Elena Dinkel	Ensemble
Aaliyah Koyanagi	Ensemble

 

Get your tickets for Punikawā!