Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 2, 1 February 1993 — Hui Naʻauao "street drama" a living history experience [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hui Naʻauao "street drama" a living history experience

Thousands of Hawai'i residents and visitors will long remember the dramatic re-enact-ment of the historic events of the Overthrow as portrayed Jan. 1517, 1993 by more than 100 actors at and around 'Iolani Palaee in downtown Honolulu. Presented as part of a sovereignty education project by Hui Na'auao, a coalition of native Hawaiian organizations, the costumed "street drama" was a popular event during the Centennial observance.

Written by Victoria Kneubuhl and directed by Dallas Mossman Vogeler, the play consisted largely of documented statements of individuals involved in the overthrow. What gave their words power and emotion was the sincerity of the cast, whieh consisted largely of loeal actors and members of Hui Na'auao who were inspired to tell the story. To the eager and curious audiences, they brought life to their characters and time. The Committee of Safety who plotted the takeover was loudly booed. Hawaiian legislators who urged their people to stand firm behind their queen were

applauded. Soli Niheu, in the role of the fiery Robert Wilcox, drew standing applause with his lines, "We love our kingdom. We love our Queen. We love the land that gave us birth." Crowds grew daily and by the production's final scene, in whieh Queen Lili'uokalani (played with dignity and passion by Leo Anderson Akana) yielded her throne, the palaee steps were surrounded by a sea of people. People wept openly, united for a moment with the

people of 1893. Episodes of the play were broadcast live during the event by the Hawaiian National Broadcast Corporation. Program hosts Pōkā Laenui and Haunani Bernardino added other news coverage, interviews and historieal background. The broadcast was produced in conjunction with Hui Na'auao, Hawai'i Public Radio and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Executive producer was MarshaRose Joyner.

Scene from Hui Na'auao play