LCC stages bold, lively 'Manoa'

By Joseph T. Rozmiarek
Advertiser Drama Critic

Will Keanu, left, and Cassandra Wilson in "Manoa: The Story of Kahalaopuna." UH-LCC Theatre 'Manoa: The Story of Kahalaopuna' 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday Leeward Community College Theatre $15 and $12 455-0385

Its current production of "Manoa: The Story of Kahalaopuna" is another excellent example of what can result when a couple of dozen performers throw themselves into a project under generous and adventurous technical direction. Imagine a Lei Day pageant for collegiates bent on stretching, bending and kicking up the norm.

Paul Cravath directs the script by Tammy Haili'opua Baker and, while it succeeds more from energy than from literary value, it has a definite plot and a dramatic shape.

A contemporary hula halau bookends "The Story of Kahalaopuna." The kumu hula berates the members of her halau for a lackluster rehearsal, then explains that the dancers must understand the story before they can convey the dance. What follows is a mythic representation of gods and mortals, lust, passion and violence.

Just the things that LCC does best.

The title character, Kahalaopuna (Cassandra Wilson), is kept under kapu in a remote valley by two watchers, (Mane and Will Keanu). She is to see no male until her wedding to Kauhi (Ely Rapoza), a hot-headed demigod from Kailua.

Keanu plays his chaperone role in outrageous drag — changing wigs, snapping fingers and generally carrying on like an ultra fuss-budget. A couple of goofy tourists stumble into the valley, mistake the chaperone for Kahalaopuna and unwittingly report it to Kauhi.

Kauhi responds most violently. He bashes Kahalaopuna in the face with a rock. In slow motion. Twice.

Gangs cluster up around Kauhi and Mahana (William Murray) his rival suitor for Kahalaopuna. Fight choreographer Lopaka Kapanui stages stick battles in the first act and an organ-crunching rumble in the second act. Kahalaopuna's spirit suffers more from Kauhi until the violence is resolved by her transformation into the rainbow that graces Manoa Valley.

Two over-the-top performances and vivid technical work carry this story. Rapoza brims with macho evilness and Keanu drips with mahu exaggeration.

Victoria Holt Takamine is kumu hula for the production, Peter Rockford Espiritu choreographs the dances and Michael Harada designs the symbolic valley setting complete with waterfall and fire pit. Puamana Crabbe designs the colorful costumes, Sara Whitehead does dramatic lighting and John Signor provides sound.

Color, pageantry and music fill this larger-than-life experience, making it bold entertainment and a vivid evening.