Ulalena has many meanings on the island of Maui. Ulalena is a state-of-the-art venue that was built for a phenomenal show idea, but it also has another meaning. Ulalena is said to be a special wind that only occurs on Maui. According to the creation songs of the ancient Hawaiians, it is also a form of rain that turns reddish yellow when revealed during the twilight hours. This wind transports people to other times and places through memories and mythical means.
The show, Ulalena, offers some of the best entertainment on Maui. If you see a show that celebrates Hawaiian culture, this should be the show to watch. The venue where the show takes place was built specifically for the show. This allows each seat to have a special sense of intimacy and interaction as the show progresses.
Ulalena takes traditional Butoh theater and adds acrobatic moves, hula and modern dance. Rich, vivid costume design and intense lighting and set design combine to create the perfect scene for a show based on Hawaiian history and legends. You will have the opportunity to see a show so amazing that you will not be able to help but feel that you are in the middle of everything.
Critics have called Ulalena the best Hawaiian show in years. It has been called magical and powerful. What began as a myth has come to the stage in a brilliant portrayal of Hawaiian beliefs. Ulalena begins with a man on a spiritual quest heading to an unknown destination. As he walks, taro, a Hawaiian staple, appears from the ground, showing the audience the beginning of life.
The ocean, a mythical forest, a village, and much more are also spoken or used. Each area seems to progress through history and teach something unique and intimate about Hawaii. The Ocean is used to bring the first immigrants from Tahiti. These immigrants arrive in the area after following visions of the volcano goddess, Pele, and the shark god, Kamohali’l. Once this happens, Maui, the demigod, can pull the islands out of the ocean.
The forest comes later when Ali’I dreams of Mo’o. Mo’o is a guardian spirit that takes the form of a lizard and lives in a waterfall. Rainforest trees come to life. During this time, the gods reflect on pleasure and passion. The village is shown to music, as the men bang taro root poi and the women bang kapa to showcase simple Hawaiian life.
The next part of Ulalena leads to the Makahiki festival. This harvest festival is to celebrate gratitude, sports, and place a taboo on war. However, an explorer from Europe arrives and interrupts the festival in its peak moments. The residents swear to respect the man, thinking that he is a God who comes from above and turns into human form.
The shadows arrive showing the old world, the new and the differences that arise once the King is dead and the system of the old ways is overthrown. The Hawaiian monarchy draws people from all over the world to work in the sugar cane fields as sugar becomes an important commodity.
As Ulalena nears the end, Pele explodes, devastation accompanying her. However, this devastation brings contemplation and then a reconstruction of life. Finally, we have Ulalena, a new age of golden people. These people are embraced by the Ulalena, the rain, and merge into a life close to nature and built by the spirit.