Last night, nearly 400 people gathered for a commemorative journey that took them back to the 1800s. A reenactment of the life and contributions made by a man, known to many simply as Napela, took place Thursday, October 13, at the McKay Auditorium. Ned Williams, Chair of the English Department, wrote the play at the request of church leaders.
"The play covers about 25 years of Napela's life as an early member of theChurch on Maui to his death on Molokai," said Williams. "It took me about three months to write the play during the spring of 1978. Elder JohnH. Groberg and President Eric B. Shumway asked me to write the play for the members of the Church in local stakes to perform the play throughout the island."
Williams said Elder Groberg expressed his love for the story and interest in a format to capture the significant events of Napela's life.
"Elder Groberg thought a play, rather than a historical essay, would be more effective and might help promote the faith of the local Saints who might not know about Napela's life," said Williams.
According to director Craig Ferre, Napela is "one of the most influential figures in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hawaii." He lived in Maui, Oahu and Molokai during his life. As a young man in Maui, he had a dream involving a man who would come to teach him. That man ended up being Elder George Q. Cannon, an early apostle in the Church, who eventually "found" Napela and taught him the gospel.
The lead role was played by Shaka Malufau, a sophomore in exercise and sport science. "I never knew who Napela was until I heard about this play this semester," said Malufau. As the star of the show, he needed to learn quickly. "I feel very honored and greatly privileged to be filling the role of Napela because he lived an inspirational life. He was a hero and a wonderful example for the Hawaiian people. His faithfulness to the Lord and the Church is so admirable,and the script nicely depicts that."
While writing the play, Williams used historical documents such as letters and other histories, including a personal experience involving Napela'sdream that started his interest and interaction with the Church.
"Themes in the play have to do with remaining faithful in the face of sacrifice and opposition. Also, the play tries to emphasize how growth in the early Church in Hawaii resulted from cooperation and understanding among the various cultures, rather than having the values of any one culture gain ascendancy over another," said Williams.
Ferre hopes to accomplish two goals through the play.
"I certainly hope the audience will know who Napela is after seeing the play," said Ferre. "He's an extremely important person in the history of the church in Hawaii and the early Hawaiian Saints. I also hope they have a greater appreciation and knowledge of the story."
"Napela is a wonderful story," said Malufau. "I want the audience to feel the various traits Napela has. Ultimately, he is a man of great characteristics. He is kind-hearted, hard-working, honest, assertive, gentle, understanding and charitable."
Tickets are required in order to attend the event. The final showing will be Friday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the McKay Auditorium. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Aloha Center Front Desk.