UH Mānoa to debut new theatrical production The Storyteller

Hawaiian Storytelling Takes Center Stage at University of Hawaiʻi

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is set to debut a new theatrical production that bridges the gap between ancestral heritage and the modern experience. Titled The Storyteller, the play explores the intricate connections within a Hawaiian family, using a linguistic tapestry of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Creole English—commonly known as Pidgin—and English to navigate themes of grief, resilience, and identity.

The production, which is part of the Department of Theatre and Dance’s 2026–2027 Primetime Series, is scheduled to run from November 18 through November 22 at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at Kennedy Theatre. According to the University of Hawaiʻi system news, the play was written by Sheila Miles, a Native Hawaiian writer currently completing her Master of Fine Arts in playwriting at the university. Ed Refuerzo, an MFA candidate specializing in directing, is leading the production.

Bridging Generations Through Moʻolelo

At the heart of the narrative is the character Haumea, who receives a hōʻailona—a significant omen—that sets off a desperate attempt to alter the course of events. As the family grapples with the weight of this warning, the production incorporates the Kumulipo, the foundational Hawaiian origin chant, to serve as a thematic tether between the past and the present.

For the creative team, the play is an exercise in demonstrating how storytelling functions as a living, breathing component of life rather than a static historical record.

“The Storyteller asks us to remember that stories are not simply told—they are lived. They carry our histories, shape our futures, and help us understand who we are in relation to one another and to the world around us,” said director Ed Refuerzo.

The production aligns with the Kennedy Theatre’s season theme, “Finding Home in the Extraordinary,” by framing the concept of home through the lenses of ancestry, language, and the shared memories passed down through generations. Kaponi Purdy takes on the role of Haumea, while Mia ‘Ānelakumakaikealookalani Estrada-Morse portrays Nalani, further grounding the story in the interpersonal dynamics of the family unit.

Economic Accessibility for Students and Public

The University of Hawaiʻi has structured ticket pricing to encourage attendance from both the student body and the broader community. Tickets are currently available for purchase online, with student pricing set at $9 and general admission tickets at $18.

The integration of multiple languages—ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, Pidgin, and English—reflects a broader trend in regional theatre to prioritize cultural authenticity and represent the diverse linguistic landscape of the islands. By centering the Kumulipo as a narrative thread, the play invites the audience to consider how indigenous knowledge systems continue to influence contemporary decision-making and emotional processing.

While the production focuses on a specific family’s experience with loss and change, it serves as a broader commentary on how communities utilize historical narratives to navigate modern uncertainty. As the November 18 premiere approaches, the production highlights the ongoing role of the university’s arts programs in documenting and revitalizing Hawaiian cultural perspectives in a theatrical format.