Entertainment

Moses Goods brings Hawaiian icon to life in ‘Duke’

One of Hawaii's most gifted actors and playwrights, Moses Goods will bring the extraordinary life of one of the islands' most beloved figures to the stage in his acclaimed one-man show "Duke," opening Saturday at ProArts Playhouse.

Goods portrays Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Hawaii's first Olympic gold medalist, legendary swimmer and father of modern surfing, whose remarkable life and enduring spirit made him a global ambassador for aloha.

"When I decided to become an actor and focus on stories of Hawaii, I made a list of all the stories that I thought really needed to be told, and he was at the top of the list," said Goods, who wrote and stars in the play.

Born a subject of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1890, Kahanamoku broke several swimming records and won his first two Olympic medals at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden.

"We know Duke, the icon, the symbol," said Goods. "I wanted to find out who Duke was -- the human being. One of the most powerful moments that I was able to experience during the research process was the famous rescue that he did in Corona del Mar, where he saved multiple people from a boat that had capsized. Then he went back several times to retrieve those who didn't make it. These waters were turbulent, but he went back to bring these bodies back so that their families could have closure. What a human being this guy is."

Kahanamoku was eventually appointed Hawaii's official Ambassador of Aloha. "Once you see the show, it's no big surprise that it is a story of aloha," said Goods. "The show really delves into what aloha actually means. It's not this lovey-dovey thing. It's really a commitment to humanity, and a true thing that could truly change the world."

A Native Hawaiian raised in Upcountry Maui whose mother is from Hana, Goods is a prolific actor and playwright.

As a student at Maui High School, he developed a passion for theater. His productions have included the musical "Ke Kula Keiki Ali'i: The Royal School" (with Lee Cataluna), set in the short-lived school for children of Hawaiian royalty, "My Name is ʻŌpūkahaʻia," and "Paniolo: Stories & Songs from the Hawaiian Cowboy," which he presented at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in 2020.

The versatile artist performed in the groundbreaking "ʻUlalena" show in Lahaina and played Brutus in a Hawaiian adaptation of "Julius Caesar," set during the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He had recurring roles in such TV series as "Rescue: HI-Surf" and "NCIS: Hawai'i," and starred as a chief in the short film "Kūkini," which depicted the Battle of Kepaniwai in Iao Valley.

But it was starring as Moku in Apple TV's epic "Chief of War" that brought him global attention. "I've been doing what I've been doing for about 30 years, but with 'Chief of War,' we're getting national exposure and I'm getting people recognizing me," he said. "When the show was out, I couldn't even go to Safeway to buy eggs without taking three or four pictures. So it certainly changed life for me just being a part of that show."

Goods said he is grateful to be part of a show that emphasizes the Hawaiian language and portrayed the culture in a way never shown before. "That type of thing has been what I've committed myself to for a few decades, telling our stories and incorporating not just our culture, but our language as well into my work and history," he noted. "So I was extremely excited about it."

Has there been any talk about another season?

"We're still sort of in limbo now," he said. "We don't know. They're looking to go to another streaming platform because it doesn't look like we're going to get a season two with Apple TV."

He most recently created "Joseph Kekuku and the Voice of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar," a play about the steel guitar innovator, which he will tour nationally later this year.

"I have another actor that's portraying Joseph Kekuku, along with a steel guitar musician, Malie Lyman," he explained. "Joseph Kekuku invented the Hawaii steel guitar, and the invention changed American music as we know it."

Goods is the founder and artistic director of Inamona, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Native Hawaiian stories. "My biggest thing I have right now is my nonprofit," he said. "The show and tour is under my nonprofit. The nonprofit is going to be not just creating more shows and performances, but also to offer workshops and classes and mentorship programs for the community. I have strong Maui ties. That's my home. I'm a Maui boy, so it's going to have some Maui things."

"Duke" will be presented at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the ProArts Playhouse. Tickets are $26 to $53 at proartsmaui.org. The performance will open with a musical set by The Liliʻu Project, featuring vocalist Starr Kalāhiki, multi-instrumentalist John Signor and guitarist Honybal Sosa. Proceeds from the shows will benefit Inamona.