Honolulu Weekly

Kaluaikoolau by Kemuel DeMoville, Waiting for a King / They may never bring back the drive-in movie, but from time to time they do bring back the double bill. That is, a genuine twofer. Not a personally designed evening where you sneak into a second movie but a real, above-the-law deal, consisting of two separate showings for the price of one.

Kumu Kahua Theatre is doing it. In the comfort and intimacy of a 100-seat air-conditioned theater downtown, you can enjoy two one-act plays–Kaluaikoolau by Kemuel DeMoville and Waiting for a King by Krystal Ontai–which go up this week at the place where productions are for, by and/or about the people of Hawaii. Kumu Kahua has been successfully living up to the mission for more than 30 years. Count yourself lucky to score a bonus doubleheader.

Told in the ancient, poetic style of Japanese Noh drama, Kaluaikoolau is the true story of Koolau the Leper, who in 1893, escaped being deported to the feared Kalaupapa settlement on Molokai and fled with his family to Kauai’s Kalalau Valley, living off the land for four years until both he and his son died from Hansen’s disease. Kumu vets William Kahele, Moses Goods III, Annie Lokomaikai Lipscomb and William Murray make up the cast.

And they make up the next cast too. After intermission, a completely different tale is told. Also set in the 19th century, Waiting for a King focuses on Hawaii’s alii–specifically King Kamehameha, his son Liholiho, his wife Kaahumanu and his nephew Kekuaokalani. While each character offers a different opinion on what the future holds and the best tactic in getting there, a modern-day Chorus explores the fate of Hawaiians through examination of the past as well as a look ahead. Harry Wong III directs both shows.

The double bill is the last scheduled production of Kumu Kahua’s season but due to the overwhelming popularity of Lee Cataluna’s play Da Mayah, the company has decided to throw in another bonus and remount it this summer. Stay tuned.