Kumu Kahua Theatre Presents Memory Beads
The fragility and power of memory is explored as Kumu Kahua Theatre presents Memory Beads, an original new play by Diane Aoki. Premiering May 28 and running through June 28, 2026, the production invites audiences into an intimate journey shaped by family history, cultural heritage, and the universal search for self. Memory Beads masterfully weaves together both humor and heartbreak, with directors Liza Sanchez and Julia Gilman setting the stage for a moving, authentic, and relatable presentation of Aoki’s deeply personal script.
At the heart of Memory Beads is Joni (played by Denise Aiko Chinen), a woman grappling with the knowledge that Alzheimer’s Disease runs in her family. As she faces the possibility that both her mother (“Haruko,” played by Sanae Tokumura) and eventually herself may be affected, Joni begins collecting what she calls “memory beads” to serve as the fragments of her family’s story that she hopes will endure. These include her family’s immigration journey from Okinawa, Haruko’s recollections of growing up in Hilo, discoveries from genealogical research, and moments from her own path towards self-acceptance and empowerment.
Threaded together, these “beads” form a rich tapestry of five generations of women, illuminating the complex and enduring relationships between mothers and daughters. Through humor, vulnerability, and reflection, Memory Beads explores how memory shapes identity and highlights what we hold onto when memory begins to fade. Aligning with the play’s premiere, Kumu Kahua Theatre will offer community and cultural events as well as ticket specials. Audiences are invited to experience:
o An Opening Night Celebration on May 28 – Maajiru, a Hawaii-based band that blends Okinawan music and heritage with local Hawaiian music, will perform live inside the house during pre-show arrivals (6:30 p.m., just ahead of the 7 p.m. show) and at intermission.
o Kumu Kahua’s Book Club on June 1 – inspired by cultural themes in Memory Beads, the theatre’s onsite club will explore “The Girl with the White Flag” by Tomiko Higa, with limited copies available to borrow ahead of the event at the box office and Hawai’i State Public Libraries, or the book may be purchased at local bookstores and online.
o The Cast & Crew Talk Story on June 5 – connect with Aoki and members of the tremendous cast and crew immediately following the 7 p.m. performance. The evening will also feature an encore performance from Maajiru during pre-show arrivals and intermission.
o BOGO Tickets for June 12 show – inspired by the theatre’s season of strong female characters and creatives, a buy one, get one ticket offer is available for the June 12 performance by simply mentioning “LADIES” at the theatre’s box office or by entering it as a code during online checkout. Audiences are also invited to enjoy drink specials and the spirit of community at nearby Black Shamrock Tavern at 5:30 p.m. before catching the theatre’s 7 p.m. show.
Kumu Kahua Theatre offers evening and matinee presentations of Memory Beads—with showtimes held Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets and event details call (808) 536-4441 or visit www.kumukahua.org, and kindly follow the theatre on social @kumukahua.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3646785-0
