{"id":190968,"date":"2024-01-30T10:57:19","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T20:57:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=190968"},"modified":"2024-01-30T11:22:25","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T21:22:25","slug":"glitter-in-paakai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2024\/01\/30\/glitter-in-paakai\/","title":{"rendered":"‘L\u016b\u02bbau of emotions’ on stage at UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Glitter
From left, Kaipo Dudoit and Leleaʻe<\/span> “Buffy” Kahalepuna-Wong. (Photo credit: Christine Lamborn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hula and mele (song) intertwine throughout the world premiere of a hana keaka (Hawaiian theatre<\/a>) at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Mānoa to reveal the polarizing facets of a Hawaiian ʻohana<\/span> (family) grappling with loss, identity and healing. Written and directed by UH<\/abbr> Mānoa graduate student Joshua “Baba” Kamoaniʻala<\/span> Tavares, a dual concentration acting and Hawaiian theatre and dance<\/a> MFA<\/abbr> candidate, Glitter in the Paʻakai<\/span><\/a><\/em> debuts at Kennedy Theatre<\/a>\u2019s Earle Ernst Lab Theatre February 7—11.<\/p>\n

\"Actors
Kaipo Dudoit and Leleaʻe<\/span> “Buffy” Kahalepuna-Wong. (Photo credit: Christine Lamborn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“This story is a personal love letter towards finding healing and peace and a peek into the beautiful complexities of ʻohana<\/span>,” said Tavares who is preparing to graduate this spring.<\/p>\n

Glitter in the Paʻakai<\/span><\/em> centers on the poignant return of Kaʻōnohi<\/span> to his roots in Hōnaunau, Kona, as he attends his nephew’s first birthday lūʻau<\/span> (Hawaiian feast). Tavares, who also hails from Hōnaunau, hopes for audiences to explore several questions while watching the production such as, “What expectations do we place on our family? What happens when they don\u2019t meet them? How do we heal from trauma? If we lose our connection to our culture and family, what is left of our identity? What does it mean to be courageous?”<\/p>\n

The Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island native is a familiar face on Kennedy Theatre\u2019s mainstage having starred in past productions such as award-winning comedy, Hoʻoilina<\/span><\/a><\/em>, a Hawaiian hana keaka where Tavares played one of the main roles.<\/p>\n