Cast members in “Lele Wale” include Ka’iulani Iaea, Ramon Francis and Kekililani Helekahi.
Photo courtesy University of Hawaii at Mānoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa will debut “Lele Wale,” a new hana keaka created by Hawaiian theatre master of fine arts candidate Ikaika Mendez.

According to the university, “Lele Wale” does not seek to recreate the tragic wildfires. Instead, the work moves through memory, music and movement to create space to remember, grieve and reflect on what comes next.

“Although I am from Kanaio, Lahaina became the place where I learned what it meant to be a performer in service to people and place … working at the Feast at Lele Lūʻau at just 15 years old,” Mendez said. “I learned discipline, responsibility and the power of storytelling through music and movement. That experience deeply influenced my path, leading me to pursue education in music, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and ultimately my MFA in hana keaka.”

The work will take audiences on a journey of community rebuilding in the wake of the 2023 Lahaina wildfire. The production is meant to honor those who were lost, the people who survived and those working to rebuild.

Performances will run March 4-8 in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at Kennedy Theatre in Honolulu.

Tickets range from $9 to $18. A free post-show Q&A with the director and cast will follow the March 6 performance. Questions about tickets or accessibility can be directed to ktbox@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-7655.