Feb. 29, 2016

Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth

Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i will stage its third Hawaiian language opera entitled “Hā‘upu” as part of the school’s annual Hō‘ike. The opera is slated for March 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. at Koaiʻa Gymnasium.

“Hā‘upu” is based on the legend of Hina and her son Kana. Hina, an ali‘i from Hilo, is kidnapped by Kapepeʻekauila, a rogue ali‘i from the island of Moloka‘i.

In retaliation for this outrageous kidnapping, Hina’s sons Kana an Nīheu mount an attack on Kapepeʻekauila’s fortress on the north shore of Moloka‘i on the cliffs of Hā‘upu.

While the daring rescue is being conceived and carried out, Hina unexpectedly begins to fall in love with her captor Kapepeʻekauila. In the end, Hina is saved by her sons and Kapepeʻekauila vanquished although the true fate of Hinaʻs love for the Molokaʻi aliʻi is unknown.

“Once again Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi elevates the ‘ike kupuna (ancestral knowledge) through its rendition of one of Hawaiʻi’s moʻolelo (story) – Hāʻupu,” says Poʻo Kumu (high school principal) Lehua Veincent.

“May the performance provide you an opportunity to embrace fondly the mauli (uniqueness) of our people!”

Hō‘ike is a an all-school production which tells a story through beautiful and powerful mele (song), oli (chant) and hula (dance). The first Hō‘ike took place in 2004. Hō‘ike allows KS Hawai‘i students to showcase their talents in fine art, Hawaiian language, chant, solo and choral singing, dance, instrumental performance and drama.

Proceeds from the production will help to offset the cost of the Hō‘ike A Ha‘i performing arts department trip to the American High School Theatre Festival at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2016. This production will debut the opera which will be performed in Scotland at the festival next summer.

Tickets prices range from $10-15 based on seat location. Tickets can be pre-ordered with this mail-in form, or purchased through the Koaiʻa Gymnasium box office on Wednesday, Mar. 2 or 9 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call (808) 982-0734 or visit the Hōʻike web page for more information.