Mele program: Pilina Kapu

“PILINA KAPU — FORBIDDEN RELATIONSHIPS”

A Night of Mo’olelo, Mele, Oli and Hula

Experience the passion and intrigue of forbidden Hawaiian love at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives’ (HMH) acclaimed Mele Program. “Pilina Kapu — Forbidden Relationships” will transport guests through time and tradition on Saturday, October 4, 2025, revealing the powerful expressions of love and desire through mele (song), oli (chant), and hula (dance).

EXPLORING THE SACRED AND FORBIDDEN

The concept of “kapu” — defined in the 1836 Lorrin Andrews Dictionary as prohibited, forbidden, or sacred — has shaped Hawaiian cultural practices for centuries. “Pilina Kapu” will illuminate relationships designated as kapu because of their connections to akua (deities) or ali’i (royalty), from the divine affairs of goddesses Pele and Poli’ahu to the royal intrigues that unfolded from pre-Kamehameha times through the corridors of ‘Iolani Palace.

The kapu nature of these relationships meant they were often wrapped in kaona — hidden meanings discernible only to those initiated in their secrets. Whether subtle or overt, the consequences of pilina kapu were frequently severe, making these stories all the more compelling and poignant.

WORLD-CLASS CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS

This journey through Hawaiian concepts of forbidden love and desire will be brought to life by renowned musicians and dancers from Hālau Hula Kamamolikolehua under the skilled leadership of Kumu Pōhai Souza, alongside Hālau Mele under the direction of Kumu Sam ‘Ohu Gon III and Kumu Māhealani Wong. Together, these master cultural practitioners will weave traditional and contemporary understandings of “pilina kapu” through authentic performances that illuminate while they captivate.

EVENT DETAILS

• Date & Time: Saturday, October 4, 2025 | Seating opens at 5:30 p.m. | Performance begins at 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Kahua Ho’okipa Stage at Hawaiian Mission Houses | 553 S. King St.
• Tickets: $40 per person — purchase at missionhouses.org/upcoming-events
• Culinary Experience: Gourmet charcuterie options available for purchase from Da’Cuterie by Oahu Premier Picnics
• Beverages: Cash bar featuring beer, wine, water, and soft drinks (available from 5:30 p.m. through intermission)
• Parking: Available at Civic Center Municipal Parking (346 Alapa’i Street) or metered street parking on Kawaiaha’o St., Mission Lane, or South Street
• Weather Contingency: In case of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, the event will be rescheduled to October 18, 2025

CULTURAL CONTEXT: UNDERSTANDING KAPU

While “Kapu” is commonly interpreted today as simply “Keep Out,” its traditional significance runs far deeper. In ancient Hawaiian society, kapu represented spiritual restrictions based on mana (spiritual power). Sacred places such as upland forests and mountain summits were considered “wao akua” — the realm of the gods — and entering these spaces required elaborate ceremony and sacrifice. Similarly, persons of high mana, including akua and ali’i, carried powerful kapu restrictions that, if violated, often resulted in death. In modern contexts, these spiritual consequences have sometimes been replaced by severe social or legal repercussions.