Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 1, 1 January 1993 — Hui Naʻauao drama re-enacts 1893 events [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hui Naʻauao drama re-enacts 1893 events

The historic events of Ūie overthrow of ūie Hawaiian Monarchy, Jan. 14 ūirough 17, 1893, will eome to life through a dramaūc and carefully researched re-enact-ment wiūi more than 200 actors, at 'Iolani Palaee and other historic locaūons in downtown Honolulu. Hui Na'auao, a eoaliūon of naūve Hawaiian organizaūons, is presenting the unique costumed "sūeet drama" as part of a sovereignty educaūon project. The aeūon takes plaee at and around 'Iolani Palaee where ūie actual events occurred. The script, written by Victoria Kneubuhl and directed by Dallas Mossman Vogeler, consists largely of actual documented statements of individuals involved in ūie overthrow. Author Kneubuhl notes, "During ūie lOOŪi anniversary of this historic occasion, this project presents a ūemendous opportunity, not only ... to increase the public's

awareness of Ūie critical issues of Ūie past, but also ... to increase the understanding of many eiiūeal issues whieh our community faces today." Vogeler and Charles M. Ka'ai'ai, co-chairs of the Hui Na'auao drama eommiūee, believe by bringing to light the events and ambiance of the ūme they will bring understanding and heal the deep wound native Hawaiians feel from these events. This is important because the largest "ethnic" group in Hawai'i by 2000 will be Hawaiians and part-Hawaiians, according to eensus projections. They state, "Truth and reality will increase the understanding of poliūeal, social and eeonomie situaūons in Hawai'i. It is through understanding Ūiat real progress ean be made for all of the people of Hawai'i."

Jan. 14, 1893: The Queen adjourns the Legislature returning by carriage to the Palaee.