Hereniko skillfully
tells of family in fluxLove 3 Times
Continues 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through June 17 at Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St. Tickets $12 and $15 general; $10 and $12 for seniors; $5 and $10 for students. Call 536-4441.
Reviewed by John Berger VILSONI Hereniko tells an interesting story in "Love 3 Times," but watching it is as staged at Kumu Kahua is a problematic experience for those seated at the ewa end of the theater.
Star-BulletinStaging is often a problem with Kumu Kahua shows and director Megan Evans' presentation of the world premiere is particularly awkward. Much of the action is staged with the actors' backs to the ewa seats -- about one-third of the total available.
But even those unfortunate enough to be in those seats will find that Hereniko is a skilled storyteller. Vaikeola Richards delivers a strong and engaging performance as Hereniko's protagonist, Tamasi Amanako, a Pacific islander who lives in Honolulu, teaches at the University of Hawai'i, and who is trying to work the kinks out of his relationships with his second wife, his estranged son from his first marriage, and the ghost of his deceased father.
Tamasi's relationship with his son and his deceased father are the core of the story. Tamasi, who was a teenager when his father died, still compares himself to his father and often imagines his father criticizing him. Tamasi's efforts to be a good father to his teenage son, Duncan, are complicated by the fact that his ex-wife has custody and lives in London. Duncan knows little about his island heritage and is into basketball, rap music and marijuana.
A trip to the Amanako family's home island of Rotuma doesn't improve things. Duncan doesn't speak the language and assumes -- with good reason -- that some of the locals are laughing at him.
He doesn't like the local food. No one on Rotuma plays basketball. Duncan barely does his part when participating in a funeral ceremony honoring his grandfather. Even when Duncan makes an effort things go wrong. He tries reef fishing and proudly brings home a sting ray -- the family 'aumakua! Fortunately the sting ray survives.
Tamasi has trouble on other fronts as well. His father's ghost still cuts him no slack. His second wife's sexual demands are more than he can handle. The relationships are still rocky when Tomasi, his wife, and Duncan, return to Honolulu. The ghost tags along out of curiosity and continues to question Tamasi's efforts at fatherhood. Duncan continues to be difficult. However, slowly but steadily, in halting but believable ways, stronger ties are gradually forged.
Richards is excellent in reflecting the complexities of Tamasi's experiences as a well-intentioned father, son and husband. He has a great co-star in Roselani Palayan. She transcends gender with an impressive portrayal of Duncan. Sympathies are naturally with Tamasi when the story opens, but although Tamasi remains a likeable protagonist, Palayan succeeds in establishing Duncan as being more than an obnoxious young jerk.
Kumu Kahua regular Dann Seki adds another great performance to his lengthy resume with his portrayal of the ghost. Seki also teams up with Charlotte Dias in a key scene in which Tamasi and Duncan are challenged while shooting hoops by a guy named Mike (Seki) and his son (Dias).
Dias is hilarious as the son, nearly bringing down the house on opening night. She adds another comic performance as a waitress and gets more laughs as a flight attendant. Her portrayal of La, Tamasi's sister who is happy living on Rotuma, provides balance and ballast to Act I.
Patricia Hallmark completes the cast as Cindy, Tamasi's second wife, a relatively two-dimensional role. Cindy seems to spend much of her time either complaining about being neglected or attempting to jump start Tamasi's lagging sex drive.
James A. Davenport's attractive set effectively evokes a Pacific ambience representative of urban Honolulu and remote Rotuma. Stuart Hirayama (sound design) suggests the difference with traditional choral music in Act I and modern rap in Act II. Mike Harada (props) contributes a number of smaller embellishments; the sting ray -- animated by Seki -- is particularly memorable.
And so, "Love 3 Times" works well as Hereniko's semi-autobiographical chronicle of his experiences as a Pacific Islander raised with traditional values but now living in urban America.
Click for online
calendars and events.
