History Theater: Visionary Women
April 24th, 2025
Doors Open - 5:00 PM | Programs Begins - 6:00
Hawaiian Mission Houses Hosts a Special History Theater Performance.
History Theater: Visionary Women
Doors open at 5:00 PM | Program begins at 6:00 PM
Thursday, April 24th, 2025
An Evening Celebrating Four Remarkable Women Who Shaped Hawaii’s History
This special event brings to life the stories of four visionary women who made significant contributions to Hawaii’s history through authentic actor portrayals. Food and cocktails will be served beginning at 5:00 PM, with performances starting at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $45 per person, including a bento box and one complimentary drink.
Featured Historical Portrayals
- Edna Allyn (1861-1927) – Head Librarian for the Hawaii Library and Reading Room Association in 1907. Her vision established Hawaii’s free public library system and county library systems, creating the foundation for what is now the only statewide library system in the nation. Portrayed by Eden Lee Murray.
- Striking Sugar Worker from the 1920 Plantation Strike – The 1920 Sugar Strike marked a pivotal moment in Hawaii’s labor history as the first multi-ethnic strike in the sugar industry. This six-month action ultimately improved wages and living conditions for plantation workers across Hawaii. Portrayed by Aiko Chinen.
- Emma Nakuina (1847-1929) – Served as Curatrix of the Hawaiian National Museum (1882-1887) and water rights commissioner (1892-1907). Her dedication to cultural preservation established her as a respected expert in Hawaiian folklore and traditional water rights, with published works that remain valuable cultural resources. Portrayed by Kahana Ho.
- Cherilla Lillian Lowrey (1861-1917) – Founder and first president of The Outdoor Circle, Cherilla Lowrey established an organization dedicated to “Keep Hawaii clean, green and beautiful.” The organization continues its environmental stewardship today. Portrayed by Karen Valasek.
Tickets: $45/person (includes bento and one complimentary drink)
Buy Tickets here
Archives & Inquiry
Archives & Inquiry
A Virtual Speaker Event
Dr. Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa
Haumea: Hawaiian Earth Mother and Ancestor of All Female Divine Elements
Tuesday, April 22 12:00 p.m. Hawaiʻi Time
(Online via Zoom)
(Honolulu, HI) Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives is pleased to announce the next installment of the Archives and Inquiry Virtual Speaker Series on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Hawaiian Standard Time. Archives & Inquiry is an online presentation highlighting the discoveries and work of diverse history and humanities scholars working with Hawaiian Mission Houses’ extensive archives and whose work informs our contemporary world. The talk will be on Zoom and will be followed by a Q&A with the presenter. Zoom link HERE.
Dr. Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa will speak about Haumea as a visionary woman who created the divine line of female Hawaiian genealogy that continues today. She gave birth to the physical elements of our world, from the past that continue to today.
Dr. Kame’eleihiwa is a Senior Professor at the University of Hawaiʻiʻs Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies. Trained as a historian, she is also an expert in Hawaiian cultural traditions and the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Read more HERE. For questions, email [email protected].
Hawaiian Mission Houses Hosts NEW Mele program to explore the concept of kapu.
Wahi Kapu – Forbidden Places
Doors open at 5:30 PM | Program begins at 6:30 PM
Saturday, May 17, 2025
A Night of Mo‘olelo, Mele, Oli and Hula
Join us for our ever-popular Mele Program, which shares stories about the rich history of Hawaiʿi through mele (song), oli (chant) and hula (dance). History lovers of all ages are welcome to attend “Wahi Kapu – Forbidden Places” on Saturday, May 17, 2024.
In 1836, the Lorrin Andrews Dictionary defined kapu as prohibited, forbidden, sacred, or devoted to certain purposes. The mele program on May 17, 2025 will explore the idea of wahi kapu or “forbidden places.” Places were historically kapu because of ties to deities or aliʻi such as Kīlauea or Pohukaina on the grounds of ʻIolani Palace. In the modern day, places can be forbidden due to private ownership or danger from modern day uses, such as Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe. The story of these forbidden places will be told by the musicians and dancers of Hālau Mele, under the leadership of Kumu Sam ʻOhu Gon III and Kumu Mahealani Wong, and Hālau Hula Kamamolikolehua under the leadership of Kumu Pohai Souza.
The program will be held on the verdant Kahua Hoʿokipa Stage at Hawaiian Mission Houses, located at 553 S. King St. in Honolulu, on the Waikīkī side of Kawaiahaʻo Church. Seating will open at 5:30 p.m. and the program will start at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $40 per person. There will be a cash bar with beer, wine, water and soft drinks available from 5:30pm through intermission. Parking is available at the Civic Center Municipal Parking at 346 Alapaʻi Street or the metered street parking on Kawaiahaʻo St, Mission Lane, or South Street. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit missionhouses.org/upcoming-events.
If there is a cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the program will rescheduled for May 24, 2025.
The second installment of the mele program will be on October 4, 2025 and will focus on forbidden love/relationships
Buy Tickets here
Mele: Forbidden Places
May 17, 2025
Doors Open - 5:30 PM | Programs Begins - 6:30
173rd Annual Meeting
For descendants of the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society and their families!
173rd Annual Meeting
Saturday, April 26, 2025 10:00 a.m. at HMH in-person and online via Zoom
More information HERE. We look forward to seeing you!
