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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

'Waikiki Nei' premiere pushed back to July 22

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Staff Writer

Another delay has been announced for the show "Waikiki Nei," the extravagant blend of multimedia and performance at the new Level 4 showroom in the Royal Hawaiian Center.

The new target date for opening is July 22. Construction issues are to blame for the additional delays, organizers said.

The show, along with the Level 4 nightclub and ultra lounge on the fourth floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center, was expected to open today. The nightclub is now expected to begin operations Saturday.

With the show's premiere pushed back an additional week, cast and crew will continue to polish the production, which tracks the history of Hawai'i from the era of the monarchy to the present.

Manu Boyd, one of the consultants on the Hawaiian-themed production, said more tweaking would be helpful: "The show is avant garde, but the messaging needs to be clearer."

"Waikiki Nei," which boasts Cirque du Soleil-inspired technology and elements, is being produced by the creators of " 'Ulalena," a Maui showroom production that melds acrobatics, projected visuals and Hawaiiana. It is being mounted with extensive collaboration with Kamehameha Schools' cultural advisory committee. Preparations for the new production included extensive renovation of the Royal Hawaiian Center showroom, a 22,000-square-foot space with 60-foot ceilings, and installation of a rotating stage and retractable seating.

For information, call 931-6100 or see www.waikikinei.com.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.