‘My Name is ʻŌpūkahaʻia,’ March 15 at The MACC

The Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s McCoy Studio Theater will host a one-man play, My Name is ‘Ōpūkahaʻia, written and performed by Hawai‘i’s own Moses Goods, on Friday, March 15, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.

In remembrance of the life of Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia’s, this play celebrates the pivotal role he played in the American Protestant mission in Hawai’i.

The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives on O‘ahu has commissioned this play.

ʻŌpūkahaʻia’s and the American Protestant mission are credited with having profound effects on Hawaiian history.

ʻŌpūkahaʻia inspired New England missionaries to venture to Hawai‘i (the Sandwich Islands) in 1820 to teach Hawaiians about Christianity.

The headquarters of the Sandwich Island Mission still exist today in Honolulu and are the oldest remaining historical structure.

The audience will be taken through each aspect of his life, from the traumatic events of his youth and voyage to New England to his famed conversion to Christianity.

It has been 201 years since his death on Feb. 17, 1818, and his name has not been forgotten.

Poʻai Lincoln, assistant curator of programs and volunteer coordinator at the Hawaiian Mission Houses, gives a historical background and perform a mele and ‘oli in honor of the special occasion.

Maui is the hometown of playwright and performer, Goods; however, he is based out of Honolulu and travels worldwide educating a variety of audiences.

Not only did he star in the one-man show The Legend of Kaululā‘au, but he also wrote and performed at The MACC in the one-man play Duke, for which he was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the United Nations Association of the United States of America Honolulu Chapter in 2016.

Other theater experience includes his principal involvement in the long-running production

‘Ulalena and his extensive work as a company actor with the greatly esteemed Honolulu Theater for Youth.

Tickets on sale now for $21 (plus applicable fees) Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the MACC Box Office, by phone at (808) 242-SHOW, or online anytime. Keiki ages 12 and under are admitted for half-price and MACC members receive a 10% discount.