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![Kumu Kahua remembers Gene Shofner and his lasting contributions to our theatre and our community.
Gene was an important part of our history; his work helped shape the theatre we know today. He was instrumental in helping Kumu Kahua make the transition from the University of Hawaiʻi student association toward nonprofit status, and, along with others, helped establish our permanent home at 46 Merchant Street. He helped bring Kumu Kahua to the Edinburgh Theatre Festival, on a tour that also took the company to Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
“Gene was a fine actor and director,” remembers our artistic director Harry Wong III. “I [was assistant director and stage manager] on his production of Velina Hasu Houston’s Asa Ga Kimashita. Through example, he taught me that its attention to detail that makes an artist.”
“The last time he came to a show at KKT, he donated money to create a permanent display acknowledging the contribution of Dennis Carroll to [Kumu Kahua Theatre]. The truth is, both of them require acknowledgment for KKT’s place in Hawai‘i’s culture.”
We are grateful for Gene’s dedication and the lasting mark he made on Kumu Kahua Theatre and the Hawaiʻi community. A memorial for Gene will be held at here at Kumu Kahua, 46 Merchant Street, on Sunday, November 1, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Our aloha goes out to Gene’s family, loved ones, and friends. by @kumukahua](https://scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/827636715_18634883023004278_6162093702650693947_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=xUewxVVDEKwQ7kNvwG2tJmb&_nc_oc=AdqTdJXNSBvt9f8cB2eVazkDdouaoGe9O9RbIoPtRedEv0JYf-IR8Y18PwmmarbSfTLS4H6Oy7MSA1PtlIrOwMAz&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=QU5k8eraxRuiaR6spSIfDQ&_nc_ss=70580&oh=00_AQTe9OCg5l-WshUZZ9EMVrStQ-y5EJ-GEefQirfTlNjh_Q&oe=6AF1EFEB)
![Mahalo to John Berger and the Honolulu #StarAdvertiser for featuring KUPUA in today’s issue of the paper!
Playwright Haili‘ōpua Baker spoke with Berger about adapting two traditional #NativeHawaiian folktales for the stage, KUPUA’s original music and hula (composed by Baba Tavares and choreographed by Tavares and Ikaika Mendez!), and how this production resonates with modern audiences.
“All of the (human) characters in the story tend to learn a little bit about themselves, a little bit about these kupua that they are associating with, and so they are cautionary tales,” Baker says.
“[The stories of KUPUA] teach us to really try to understand what we’re getting into before we get into it. To pay close attention to our parents and how they warn us about things, how they are there to guide us and can help us to overcome in times of challenge.”
There’s still time to save your seats for opening weekend of #Kupua at #KumuKahua. Get your tickets now at kumukahua.org! by @kumukahua](https://scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/868288508_18643960429004278_5941228215552320355_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=zwmo6wMCVMMQ7kNvwGJ1Ma8&_nc_oc=AdqcPz_ZfyrBFXbfAetKIEtXagJKBAHwfGVqs5pGeoYgVMl51CgtxqMY4_ojXh64NY9-Sm1Av78eyq8pl5Q8wsB9&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=QU5k8eraxRuiaR6spSIfDQ&_nc_ss=70580&oh=00_AQTmLRf0bYeiSSQC3KxkTFL1OP8s6lesUen4ZNU8gc7X8w&oe=6AF1F63C)
