Held only once every four years, and in a different Pacific Island country each time, the Festival of Pacific Arts will bring together an expected 2000 participants from more than 25 countries, to celebrate the diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands. The festival will feature magnificent visual arts, literary arts, performing arts, and even culinary and traditional healing arts. It is the largest, most anticipated, diverse and amazing showcase of Pacific Island culture in the world. Kumu Kahua Theatre will be traveling to this festival as a part of the Hawaii delegation, and Halau Haloa, organized by Kumu Hula Mapuana de Silva. The Theatre has raised approximately $15,000 to cover travel to and from American Sāmoa. The festival itself supplies housing, food, and ground transportation for the participants.

To celebrate its departure, Kumu Kahua will be holding two special command performances of Kāmau , on July 18th and 19th, before going to Sāmoa the very next day! Both shows will be presented at Kumu Kahua Theatre, which is located at 46 Merchant Street (on the corner of Bethel Street) in Downtown Honolulu. Both performances will begin at 8:00pm.

Kāmau was described by Honolulu Advertiser Drama Critic Joseph Rozmiarek as "a moving and powerful piece on the nature of personal and cultural compromise." The story centers around Alika, a Hawaiian man who works as a guide for a local tour company to support his adopted family. His employer offers Alika a promotion, at the same time informing him that the company has purchased and plans to build a hotel on the oceanfront land where Alika's family has lived and fished for generations. Weighed down with responsibilities, and confused by alcohol, Alika struggles with his conscience as he considers his alternatives. ,p. Kumu Kahua Artistic Director, Harry Wong and Kumu Kahua actor and Board member Wil Kahele, will co-direct the production. The cast features Kumu veterans Britton Adams, Chloe Amos, Dusty Behner, James K. Bright, Dawn Gohara, Annie Lokomaikai Lipscomb, Gilbert Molina, Aitofele C. Simpson Steele, Laurie Tanoura, and Derek Kekaulike Mar.

Tickets are on sale now, and may be purchased with a credit card by calling 536-4441, or by visiting the Kumu Kahua Box Office between 11am and 3pm, Monday through Friday. Ticket prices for these two performance are $20 each.

WHAT: Kāmau by Alani Apio. This play contains strong language.

WHERE: Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant Street, Honolulu HI 96813

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, July 18th and 19th, 2008. Performance at 8pm.

TICKETS: Tickets for the Kāmau performances are $20, and can be purchased with a credit card by calling 536-4441, or by personally visiting the Kumu Kahua Box Office. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 11am to 3pm.

Tickets are on sale now.

Kumu Kahua productions are being supported by the State Foundation on Culture & the Arts celebrating more than thirty years of culture & the arts in Hawai`i; the Mayors Office of Culture & Arts, Mufi Hannemann, Mayor; The Hawai`i Community Foundation; The Annenberg Foundation; & foundations, businesses & patrons.