“There is a Wind and Rain particular to Maui that rises at twilight. It whispers of other places and other times, both mythic and real. It blows between daylight and night, between times and worlds. It is hopeful and cleansing. The ancient Hawaiian name for the wind and rain is ‘Ulalena !”
So begins the storyline for “Ka Ua Ka’a,” the traveling 45-minute version of ‘Ulalena. Written by former cast member, Pono Murray, the production “intertwines Hawaiian myths and legends through dramatic interpretation, modern and traditional hula, acrobatics, song and chant,” said Matthew Erickson, marketing and sales manager for the production company.
Dramatic interpretations of the legends of Mo’o, the lizard god; Pele, goddess of volcanoes; Lauhuki, goddess of kapa beaters; Maui, the trickster god, and Hina, goddess in the moon are woven into a production presented through modern and traditional hula, acrobatics, song and chant. The love saga between Pele and Kamapua’a is also featured.
‘Ulalena, the parent show, was created as a collaboration between Canadian-based production company, Arra, and Hawaii show visionary, Roy Tokujo. The original 75-minute dramatic presentation of Hawaiian history and myth has its own especially created state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar theatre home on Maui.
“It had always been my desire to share the rich cultural history of Hawaii with our visitors, but also to have an entertainment venue that the residents of Hawaii would take pride in,” said Roy Tokujo, managing partner of the Maui theatre. “After much research, interaction and collaboration,” he said, “the production of ‘Ulalena was born.”
According to Tokujo, 'Ulalena was created to explore relationships between people, nature and mythology. The use of metaphors integrates Hawaiian chants and dances, original music and choreography, lighting and projections to support the talents of unique performers.
Two performances of “Ka Ua Ka’a” will be presented on the BYU-Hawaii campus Friday, 21 September at 7 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. in the McKay auditorium.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at the BYU-Hawaii Aloha Center desk. General admission tickets are $25.00, BYU-Hawaii/Polynesian Cultural Center employees/military/missionary/senior tickets are $15, and BYU-Hawaii student and child (8 to 17 years) tickets are $8.
The production is part of the BYU-Hawaii student activities performance series. Additional sponsors include: Hawaiian Association of Music Societies, Angel’s Ice Cream, Hukilau Café, Performance Arts Presenters of Hawaii, Ohana Video, State Foundation of Culture and the Arts (SFCA), BYU-Hawaii print services, Ohana Auto Services, Curves, Kahuku Grill, The East-West Center, and Matsuda Napa Auto Parts.