Kupua
BY TAMMY HAILIʻŌPUA BAKER
Directors W. Thomas Kāhele and Reyn Afaga
Assistant Director Darryl Soriano
Scenic Design Antonio Hernandez
Lighting Design Chelsea LC Yamashiro
Costume Design Kaʻiukapu Baker
Sound Design Pōʻai Lincoln
OUR PRODUCTIONS ARE SPONSORED IN PART BY THE FOLLOWING:
Kumu Kahua productions are supported in part by a Grant in Aid from the City and County of Honolulu, The Kim Coco Fund for Justice of the Iwamoto Family Foundation, the NME Fund of, and 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 Asian American Arts Alliance, The Richard Aadland Fund, The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, The John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Spectrum/Charter Communications, ABC Stores, The Kosasa Foundation, the Gloria Kosasa Gainsley Fund, Hawaiʻi Public Radio, H. Hawaiʻi Media, Simply Storage, Vacations Hawaiʻi, Zippy’s Restaurants, Highway Inn, Generations Magazine, CVS/Longs Drugs, HMSA, Hawaiian Electric, MonkeyPod, Ron and Rachel Heller, and other foundations, businesses, and loyal patrons.
We dedicate this production of Kupua to ʻĀina Rapoza, who was in original cast of Kupua when it premiered at Kumu Kahua in 2001. He was a gifted young actor whose dedication, warmth, and joyful spirit brought light to every performance. His light remains with all of us.
No photography or recording of any kind during the performance, except by prior arrangement with Kumu Kahua Theatre.
IN CONSIDERATION OF THOSE AROUND YOU, PLEASE PUT YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN AIRPLANE mode OR DO NOT DISTURB MODE.
Cast of Characters
Kupua Eddrick Brown Jr.
Kupua, Kaloli, ʻEnuhe Zaden Jay Brub
Kilipue/Musician Gianna Fabré
Waipuna/Musician Kealaula “Lala” Faifili
Anapau/Musician Kanoelehua Perreira
Kumuhea Aito Simpson Steele
Kawai Leleaʻe “Buffy” Kahalepuna Wong
Setting: Time: Traditional Hawaiʻi. Place: Ka Moku o Keawe
Tammy HailiʻŌpua Baker, PLAYWRIGHT
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
TAMMY HAILIʻŌPUA BAKER is a playwright, director, researcher, and educator from Kapaa, Kauai whose work is dedicated to the revitalization of Kanaka Maoli moolelo (Native Hawaiian history and narratives) through Hawaiian-medium theatre, Hana Keaka. Her plays evoke Indigenous consciousness and cultural identity, as illustrated by Puana, featured at the 2025 Kia Mau Festival in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Hailiōpua oversees the Hawaiian Theatre and Playwriting Programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where she is the co-director of ʻAhahui Noiʻi Noʻeau ʻŌiwi-Research Institute of Indigenous Performance (ANNO). Hailiʻōpua is a board member of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists (CAATA), an invited director at the National Institute for Directing & Ensemble Creation, and previously served as an advisor for the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Theatre Project. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Kennedy Center Medallion of Excellence in 2022.
PLAYWRIGHT'S NOTE
Twenty-five years ago the original production of Kupua premiered here at Kumu Kahua Theatre. The production shared the moʻolelo kaʻao (folktales) of Ka Wahine i Hoʻāo i ka ʻEnuhe and Puhi me Loli. It was a privilege to reimagine and retell these kaʻao in Pidgin/Hawaiian Creole English (HCE) through a contemporary lens that could be engaging for modern audience members. The lessons embedded in ka‘ao are in a sense timeless, teaching us social and cultural values. The two kaʻao presented tonight are featured in Mrs. Mary Kawena Pukui’s book He Mau Kaʻao Hawaiʻi - Hawaiian Folktales, a text that I’ve used in both my ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and theatre courses for many years. These particular kaʻao are fun, provocative, and challenging, which intrigues students and makes language and cultural learning enjoyable. Having the kaʻao realized in a theatrical production brings stories of times past to life making them tangible for us today. For that reason, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate once again with Kumu Kahua Theatre and the talented artists who have built a world for these stories to be shared with a new generation of theatre patrons. Mahalo palena ʻole to the artistic team of directors, designers, choreographers, and consultants, as well as the ‘eleu cast who embody the kolohe characters of the past. Mahalo ā nui!
W. Thomas Kahele,
CO-Director
REYN AFAGA,
CO-Director
ABOUT THE DirectorS
W. THOMAS KAHELE has directing credits including co-directing, with Harry Wong, KKT's 2007 revival of Alani Apio’s Kāmau, which also toured the Pacific Arts Festival in Samoa in 2008. He directed 2010's Māui the Demigod; 2012's Kāmau Aʻe; 2014's Koi, Like the Fish; and 2015's Joker (KKT).
REYN AFAGA (he/they) is a theatrical artist currently living in Kapahulu. Their KKT credits include actor, assistant director, costume designer, and hair/makeup artist. Reyn currently serves as the Artistic Director for the Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival, as well as the Chair of the Space Committee and member of the KKT Board of Stakeholders. Directing credits include Cymbeline (HSF, 2024), Outlandish (KKT, 2025) and The Queen's Will (KKT, 2026).
DIRECTORS’ NOTE
DIRECTORS' NOTE: Reyn: “So, what are we gonna do for our Director’s Note? It’s due in 2 days.”
Wil: “What? Since when?”
Reyn: “Since we were told that it was due 2 days from now. Read your emails.”
Wil: “Well, you can talk about how you’re excited to do something other than historical fiction.”
Reyn: “That’s true. It’s not that I don’t like historical fiction—I think my goals for anything I direct would be to show how the story we tell is reflected in today’s society. I feel like I’ve done that for the past two shows I’ve directed, and we’re doing that here. What about you?”
Wil: “It’s nice to come back to directing Hawaiian folklore. The last one I did was Maui The Demigod in 2010.”
Reyn: “Oh yeah, I saw that one.”
Wil: “You must have been young.”
Reyn: “I’m still young.”
Wil: “The clock is ticking. You’re right, though. There are a lot of things in Kupua that are relevant to today. Addiction, growing up too fast, keeping the family together. It’s all there‒just as relevant as when this premiered in 2001.”
Reyn: “Yeah, timeless. You think we should mention something about the joy of co-directing?”
Wil: “Is there a joy in co-directing?”
Reyn: “I think there is.”
Wil: “Well, there is if there’s good communication. And we’ve been doing pretty good, especially with our design team.”
Reyn: “I know, I love them all. I love that we have choke folks who are familiar with Haili’s script on the team, and a couple of new ones that bring fresh eyes. Okay, I think that’s pretty good. So how are we going to put all this in a director’s note?”
Wil: “I think we just did.”
ABOUT THE CAST
Eddrick Brown Jr. (Kupua) graduated from Roosevelt High and the Hawaii Conservatory of Performing Arts. While at the Conservatory, he performed in Green Lady of Wahiawa, J-Pop Demon Killaz and The Hangry Games (all WCC).
Zaden Jay Brub (Kupua) received a certificate in Acting from the Hawaii Conservatory of Performing Arts and is a Certified Level 2 Stage Combatant. Previous credits include The Green Lady of Wahiawa and Other Local Ghost Stories, Much Ado About Nothing, Aloha Kaua, and Morgan's Corner (all WCC).
Gianna Fabré (Kilipue/Musician) graduated from Moanalua High and attended LCC. Previous credits include Once Upon One Noddah Time (LCC), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Moanalua HS), and Puffs (HMCT).
Kealaula “Lala” Faifili (Waipuna/Musician) attended the Hawaii Conservatory of Performing Arts. Credits include Kāmau Ae (KKT), Aloha Attire & Kimo The Waiter (both WCC), Nothing Micro About Micronesia (HTY), The Life of Prince Jonah Kuhio (Aliiolani Hale) and Mai Poina (Iolani Palace).
Kanoe Perreira (Anapau/Musician) graduated from Chaminade University. Recent credits include Hamlet (HSF), Outlandish (KKT) & Julius Caesar (HSF).
Aito Simpson Steele (Kumuhea/Kaupena) is making his return to the stage after a 15-year absence. He has a handful of theater credits, most here at KKT.
Lela‘e "Buffy" Kahalepuna-Wong (Kawai) is a Kaimukī native, raised on Kauaʻi. Her most recent credits include Les Miserables (DHT), Come From Away (MVT), Aloha Kaua (WCC), Once on This Island (MVT) and Lovey Lee (KKT). Buffy currently works as an actor at Kaula Luau. She has also appeared in Wrecking Crew on Amazon Prime. Her short film Oli premiers this year at HIFF.
ABOUT THE CREW
Darryl Soriano (Assistant Director) was last seen in Blu's Hanging at KKT. Recent credits include Two Nails One Love, Beretania Snapshots (KKT), Kāmau Ae (KKT), Haoleland (KKT), Folks You Meet at Longs (KKT). Her previous acting credits include Chinee, Japanee, All Mix Up (UHM), The Watcher of Waipuna (KKT), and 38 Minutes (KKT). Darryl was the co-AD and costume designer for Smother as well as AD for The Queen's Will and SM for Memory Beads. Darryl is a member of the Board of Stakeholders at KKT.
Antonio Hernandez (Scenic Design) wants to live in a world where the arts are funded, safety is a priority, and pan dulce is always available with his coffee. As a Theatre professional, he’s McGyvered sets with gaff tape and dreams for years, and has since learned safer and more practical ways to design.
Chelsea LC Yamashiro (Light Design) tells stories through light, shaping emotion and rhythm. Lighting her third show at KKT, she continues a creative partnership spanning nearly 20 years with director Reyn. Chelsea serves as a Technical Director & Interim Theatre Manager at Leeward Theatre.
Kaiukapu Baker (Costume Design) is a Native Hawaiian theatre artist from Kahaluu, and a longtime member of Ka Hālau Hana Keaka. She earned her MFA in Hana Keaka Costume Design & Performance from the UHM in 2025. Recent design credits include Dr. Hailiʻōpua Baker’s Puana international tour to Aotearoa and Ikaika Mendez’s Lele Wale, which toured Maui. Kaiukapu is an instructor in the visual arts and theatre programs at the Liliuokalani Center, where she leads the textile department.
Pōai Lincoln (Sound Design) was born and raised in Waimea on Hawaii Island. A professionally trained vocalist and three-time regional Emmy Award winner, she is mindful of how word choice influences the audience and how the perspective of the actor informs the story.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Technical Director Antonio Hernandez
Stage Manager Darryl Soriano
Costume Assistant Maile Speetjens
Intimacy Coordinator Ihilani Cho
Choreographer/Cultural Consultant Joshua "Baba" Tavares
Fight Choreographer Zaden Jay Brub
KKT Intern Daniela Carranza Sanchez
Poster Design and Program Layout Grace Chee
Photography Brandon Miyagi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND PERMISSIONS
Jason Kanda, John Wat, Justina Mattos & the Keakalehua Playreading Hui, Downtown Art Center, Carlynn Wolfe, Tau Dance Theatre, Leeward Theatre, Colt Yamashiro, Ben Werth, LCC, the Kamalei of Liliuokalani Center, Rene Afaga, Kanekawaiola Lindsey, Michael Donato.
ushers
Alan Picard, Alaura Ward, Beth Young, Bobbie Foster, Brian Jahnke, Charlene Oshiro, Claire Motodo, Denise Aiko Chinen, Denise Nakamura, Diane Minsky, Diane Saki, Dimpna Figuracion, Evelyn Nakamura, Gail Levy, Harriet Miyasaki, Harvey Minsky, Jackson Murphy, Joanne Kealoha, Joe Pierce, Justin Lerner, Katherine Croze, Kevin Wallace, Lynda Dybal, Maggie McGhee, Mar Mizuno, Marie Anne, Marie LaBerge, Marja Leivo, Mike Fujita, Nanette Au, Nicole Tessier, Pearl Wong, Ren Ishii, Roman Druker, Ruth Hirai, Sandi Shiroma, Shannon Murphy, Simon Sanidad, Tom Murray, Vincent Goo, Sabrina Irish, Monica Lee.
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
Hawai‘i Military Community Theatre: HMCT
Hawaiian Mission Houses: HMH
Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre: HOT
Hawaiʻi Pacific University: HPU
Hawaiʻi 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
2025-2026
Managing Director: Donna Blanchard
Artistic Director: Harry Wong III
Office Manager: Sara Ward
Box Office Associates: Alyson Wong, Kathy Dombrigues, Max Pennington
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jason Kanda (President)
Brook Lee
Dann Seki
Ron Heller
Victoria Wei
Board of Stakeholders
Alvin Chan, Julia Gilman, Brandon Haggio, Denny Hironaga, Karen Hironaga, Kahana Ho, Jason Kanda, Iāsona Kaper, Monica Lee, Shannon Murphy, Ryan Okinaka, Jonathan Reyn, Dann Seki, Teri Skillman, Darryl Soriano, John Wat, Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak, Jeremyah Wubben, Victoria Amara, and Sean Joseph Choo.
DONORS
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