OUR PRODUCTIONS ARE SPONSORED IN PART BY THE FOLLOWING:

mu Kahua productions are supported in part by The Kim Coco Fund for Justice of the Iwamoto Family Foundation, Timothy and Eddie, the NME Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, the Island Insurance Foundation, The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi, The AAPI Community Fund, The Richard Aadland Fund, The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, The John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Spectrum/Charter Communications, ABC Stores, the Gloria Kosasa Gainsley Fund, Hawaiʻi Public Radio, H. Hawaii Media, Simply Storage, HUB Coworking, Vacations Hawaiʻi, Zippy’s Restaurants, Highway Inn, Generations Magazine, CVS/Longs Drugs, HMSA, Hawaiian Electric, MonkeyPod, and other foundations, businesses, and loyal patrons.

RYAN “OKI” NAKA,
PLAYWRIGHT

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

OKI (short for Okinaka) was born and raised in Honolulu and has been a passionate performer across stage, television, web, and film. As a playwright, his works iHula (2016) and Who You Again (2022) were produced at KKT. With nearly a decade of experience in improv comedy, Oki has been a member of Improvhi and is the founder of Improv Superette, a new comedy team performing bi-monthly shows as a part of KKTs Dark Night Series. 

PLAYWRIGHT'S NOTE

One Sunday morning, while pondering what concept I would take on for my next play, I heard strange sounds coming from my brother’s bedroom. It was wild—chaotic, even—like women tearing into each other with words like daggers. Nonsensical stories somehow led to insightful morals, while vivid tales of Sicily echoed down the hallway like a gay symphony tugging at my heartstrings. Curious, I peeked in—and there it was: a simple TV show my brother had playing on repeat—The Golden Girls.

It was my brother, in fact, who gave me my first opportunity as a writer. And in that moment, I thought—if ever I wrote a play to thank him for setting me on this path, it would be one inspired by The Golden Girls. This TV show about four women of a certain age resonated with the queer community on an epic scale. It did more than make us laugh—it made us feel seen. It showed us

that friendship could be sacred, that aging could be fabulous, and that family wasn’t always something you were born into—it was something you built, fiercely and unapologetically, with those who chose to stay.

Ryan Okinaka’s The Golden Gays was born from that same spirit. It’s my love letter to the queer community, to drag, to survival, and to the messy, joyful power of chosen family. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re somehow too much—and not enough. To start over from the ground up after losing a piece of your heart. And to struggle with loving and accepting the person staring back at you in the mirror. I poured my own journey into the story you’re about to see. And though I’m still far from the finish line, after 30+ years of navigating life as a gay man, I can confidently say: not only am I okay—I’m fierce, I’m fabulous, and I will always be unapologetically me.

Ultimately, this show is a celebration of friendship. And in my life, I have been profoundly blessed to be surrounded by the greatest friends this world has to offer. So to the heroes in my life—my chosen ‘ohana—you know who you are: thank you for your love, your support, and your wisdom. I wouldn’t be here without you.

From the bottom of my heart...

Thank you for being a friend.

Denny hironaga,
Director

자유 영원한 자유 (Chăyu, youngwon-Han chăyu) CHAZ HILL (Jimmy) has been on many stages in life from the traditional stages of North Carolina to mask dance performance spaces and contemporary theater spaces in Korea, the Philippines, and in the Sovereign Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. Chaz acted most recently in Yuki Shiroma’s Still On My Back (AMG). Before that he played in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (MVT). He performed as Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Show (LCC). At KKT he has helped with scenic painting on Comfort Woman, and he was the Korean language tutor during Rice Paper Airplane by Gary Pak.

ELEXIS DRAINE (Khelsea) is a local actress whose recent performances include playing L in Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers, Hoku in Blue, and Gracie in Aloha Las Vegas—all at KKT. She is also a proud member of the theatre’s improvisation group, the Improv Supperette. Elexis continues to grow her craft on stage, bringing heart and humor to every role she takes on. 

ERIQ JAMES (Anuenue) is experiencing his KKT debut. His stage credits include, DHT: White Christmas, The Bodyguard, Elf the Musical (2021), Matilda the Musical, Something Rotten!, Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot, and Disney's Newsies, MVT: Death of A Salesman, Lend Me A Soprano, Cabaret, Harold & Maude; ACT: The King & I; and HSF: Twelfth Night. He served as the Assistant to the Director for The Toxic Avenger and The Who’s Tommy (MVT), and My Fair Lady (DHT). His backstage work includes Beauty and the Beast, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at DHT, Next to Normal, The Full Monty, Once Upon One Noddah Time, Rent, and The Toxic Avenger at MVT, and Joker at KKT. He also served as the Stage Manager for The Who’s Tommy, Becky’s New Car, Clybourne Park, and Closer Than Ever at MVT.

KAHANA HO (Aunty Maria Lani Tunta) appeared most recently on stage as Sheila in Lovey Lee, Wainani Carson in Kāmau Aʻe, Beretania in Beretania Snapshots, and Kumu in iHula (KKT), Emma Nakuina in Rediscovering History (HMH), Sally Applewhite/Mary Hatch in It’s a Wonderful Life (MVT), Pedant/Widow in “The Taming of the Shrew” (HSF), and Judy in Small Mouth Sounds (KOA).  Kahana also has worked in Tech most recently as the Lighting Designer/Sound/Projections Engineer for The Magic of Polly Amnesia (KKT) and many more productions.

KAREN KUIOKA HIRONAGA (Crystal) has been seen on stage at KKT in Who You Again?, Uncle’s Regularly Scheduled Garage Party is Cancelled! Da Mayah, Half Dozen Long Stem, Tea, Mahalo Las Vegas, and the remount of Shoyu on Rice. She was also in Sounds of Aloha Men's Chorus Christmas Show (PTW), Happily Eva Afta and Once Upon One Noddah Time (OP), and The Joy Luck Club (DHT). She co-directed The Beer Can Hat with husband Denny Hironaga, which won 7 Poʻokela awards. She acted in the film The Descendants with George Clooney directed by Alexander Payne.

KEVIN KEAVENEY (Tommy)  received his drama training at Yale University and spent 15 years as an actor in NYC before moving to Oʻahu. He may be familiar to audiences from such shows as: To Kill a Mockingbird and Noises Off (both DHT), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and In the Next Room (both MVT), Red and Fool for Love (both TAG), Cemetery Pupu Theater and The Tempest (both HMH). As founder of KOA Theater, Kevin also honed his set design, crafting stages for Marjorie Prime, The Wolves, Title and Deed, Wild Swimming, Small Mouth Sounds and Mr. Burns, as well as his annual Skeleton Key Hawaii haunted house.

MANUEL MORENO (Mitch) was born and raised in the southern half of California's Central Valley. Growing up in the small town of Le Grand, California, after graduating high school Manuel took acting classes at Merced Jr. College. In 2018 Manuel enrolled at Windward Community College and pursued an education and training for performing arts. While at WCC, Manuel participated in multiple school production plays and studied abroad in London at the East 15 acting school and the Royal Shakespeare Company for two weeks in the summer of 2019. After receiving his associate’s degree with a concentration in theatre from WCC, Manuel transferred to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa to continue his education and BA in theatre/performing arts.

SHIRO KAWAI (Takeo) has appeared in KKT shows such as Cane Fields Burning, All That Remains, Mainland Education, and Another Heaven. He appears in several films including Nisei, Go For Broke, Running For Grace, and Under the Blood-Red Sun.  When he's not acting, he's either programming, or playing piano and bamboo flute.

MARTY WONG (Assistant Director) has enjoyed local theater and film since retiring from the military. Her first on-stage role at KKT was in Demigods Anonymous (2018) and continued behind stage with Watcher of Waipuna, KKT’s Dark Night: Yesterday's News and Da Beer Can Hat (2019).  She's been a part of over 20 productions at TAG (2017-2025), 3 Yellow Brick Studio films & current cast member of The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery show.

KEVIN KEAVENEY (Scenic Design) received his drama training at Yale University and spent 15 years as an actor in NYC before moving to Oʻahu. He may be familiar to audiences from such shows as: To Kill a Mockingbird and Noises Off (both DHT), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and In the Next Room (both MVT), Red and Fool for Love (both TAG), Cemetery Pupu Theater and The Tempest (both HMH). As founder of KOA Theater, Kevin also honed his set design, crafting stages for Marjorie Prime, The Wolves, Title and Deed, Wild Swimming, Small Mouth Sounds and Mr. Burns, as well as his annual Skeleton Key Hawaii haunted house.

IRIS KIM (Costume Design)  started sewing when she was 5 years old and began designing and constructing costumes when her oldest child got involved in theater in 2009. She has worked on productions at MVT, DHT, HSF, KKT, WCC and was the Assistant Costume Shop Manager at Kennedy Theatre at UHM. She is the costume designer at HTY.

LISA PONCE DE LEON (Hair and Make-Up Design)has been designing hair and makeup for more than a decade. Lisa is a multiple Poʻokela award recipient, and some of her favorite productions include The Rocky Horror Show 2019, Bloody Murder, The Addams Family, Peter and the Starcatcher, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Rock Of Ages (MVT); The Wiz, Les Misérables (WCC); and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (TAG). A working clown and face and body painter, Lisa enjoys face painting at children’s parties and at “fun-raiser” events for groups such as Child Abuse Hawaiʻi and Hospice Hawaiʻi.

LA FA'AMAUSILI-SILIATO (Sound Designer) credits whatever skills she has in Sound Design to Kerri Yoneda and Jericho Sombrio and is proud to add Ryan Okinaka's The Golden Gays to her credits. Some past design and A1/A2 credits include; Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, La Cage Aux Folles, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Grease, and many more. Psalm 42:8

SARA WARD (Properties Design) is a multi-hyphenate theatre practitioner. Her contributions in theatre range from playwriting, props design and spot op, to box office management. Her most recent play Smother is set to be produced at Kumu Kahua Theatre in September 2025. She has received four Poʻokela awards for her prop work, from the Hawaiʻi State Theatre Council.  In 2019 Sara Was awarded the Pierre Bowman Award which is given each year to a person “through whose efforts the life of theater in Hawaiʻi has been uplifted.”

BECCA McLEOD (Production Stage Manager) has been SM at KKT for the last two seasons. Among her favorites are Haoleland, Beretania Snapshots & the Kāmau Trilogy. She is excited to continue bringing these productions to life.

SAMI L.A. AKUNA (Choreographer/Drag Consultant) is in their third year as one of the directors at the Hawaii LGBTQ+ Legacy Foundation. Sami serves direct populations of kupuna, rainbow youth, and the MVPFAFF+ community. Kapaemahu, Nā Pohaku Ola is just one specific type of programming Sami directs, which helps to inform and educate both locals and visitors in the perpetuation of cultural practice and protocols surrounding this sacred and almost forgotten site. Sami holds and MFA in Asian Theatre Directing, Bachelors and a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from right here at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Sami returned to the department to teach dance in 2021 where Sami curated and continues to teach the very first movement based Queer Exploratory Dance class in the nation. Introducing the students to genealogical movements, embodiment, and choreography from former drags shows that were based in Hawaii. The class also engages with the rainbow community through outreach, support, and attending and performing in queer spaces or events. Including the Pride Paina La ʻOhana, Universal Showqueen Pageant, and the Honolulu Pride Festival. The course is now in its fourth year and has continually advanced more community engagement for the students with a focus on serving the MVPFAFF+ populations. Sami still performs and continues to create work through movement, identity, and sense of place through the lens of being a kānaka artist and māhū.

KAHANA HO (Lighting Designer) See bio under cast bios.

THEATRE ABBREVIATIONS

Army Community Theatre: ACT
The ARTS at Marks Garage: AMG
All the World's a Stage: ATWAS
Central Theatre Arts Academy: CTAA
Diamond Head Theatre: DHT
EVOLVE Theatre Company: ETC
Hawaiian Mission Houses: HMH
Hawai‘i Opera Theatre: HOT
Hawai‘i Pacific University: HPU
Hawai‘i Shakespeare Festival: HSF
Honolulu Theatre for Youth: HTY
Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre: IONA
Kaimukī High School: KHS
Kumu Kahua Theatre: KKT
KOA Theater: KOA
Kīlauea Military Camp Theater: KMC
Kīpuka Theatre: KT
Leeward Theatre: LCC
Mid-Pacific Institute: MPI
Mānoa Valley Theatre: MVT
‘Ohana Arts: OA
Open Home Performance Network: OHPN
‘Ōhi‘a Productions: OP
On the Spot: OTS
Performing Arts Center of Kapolei: PACK
PlayBuilders of Hawai‘i: PBH
Palikū Theatre: PTW
The Actors’ Group: TAG
University of Hawai‘i Mānoa: UHM
Windward Community College (Palikū): WCC

KUMU KAHUA THEATRE
2024-2025

Managing Director: Donna Blanchard
Artistic Director: Harry Wong III
Office Manager: Sara Ward
Box Office Associates: Alyson Wong, Kathy Dombrigues, Max Pennington & Victoria Amara

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Acting President: Dann Seki
Recording Secretary: Jason Kanda
Elizabeth Errico
Karen Kaulana
Brook Lee
Annie Macapagal
Marcus Oshiro
Tony Pisculli
Teri Skillman
John H. Y. Wat
Victoria Wei