Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 12, 1 December 1992 — "Liliʻuokalani" presented by OHA in Kamuela [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"Liliʻuokalani" presented by OHA in Kamuela

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs presented the play "Lili'uokalani" Nov. 8-9 at the Kahilu Theatre in Kamuela. The play chronicles the public life of the last reigning Hawaiian monarch. Leo Anderson Akana stars in the title role and Victoria Nalani Kneuhuhl plays Kala, a fictitious lady-in-waiting. "Lili'uokalani" portrays the queen's recollections of events leading to her overthrow 100 years ago and the subsequent annexation of Hawai'i to the United States. It also reflects on public and private events in her life, including the agony of her house arrest and her sincere dedication to her people. The play details the intrigue and the deceit on the part of the United States government representa-

tives and citizens inl Hawai'i at that time. Approximately 250 people attended the Friday evening performanee and about 240 saw the Saturday show. Proceeds went to the North Hawai'i Community Hospital. OHA trustee A. Frenchy DeSoto was on hand to give an introduction to the Nov. 6 performance. The play was directed by Robert T. Stach and written by Aldyth Morris, who spent five years researching the queen's life. "Lili'uokalani" was presented to sellout crowds earlier this year by Manoa Valley Theater.

Leo Anderson Akana portrays the anguished queen in the play 'Lili'uokalani,' whieh OHA presented in Kamuela last month.