A Night of Living History Theatre: Navigating New Ground
Hawaiian Mission Houses Presents An Evening of Living History Theatre:"Navigating New Ground" Four Remarkable Legacies Who Shaped Modern Hawaii Come to Life HONOLULU, HI — Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives invites the public to a special evening of living history theatre on Thursday, April 23, 2026, beginning at 5:00 PM. "Navigating New Ground" brings to life four historical figures who shaped modern Hawaiʻi through their remarkable journeys - across oceans, through institutions, and between cultures
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THE FOUR NAVIGATORS
The evening features four first-person performances by talented actors portraying figures whose lives exemplify different forms of navigation in life:
Stuart Featheran as Manuia - A royal court navigator who journeyed to London and moved fluidly between Hawaiian royalty and Western commercial interests, embodying the art of cultural navigation.
Adam LeFebvre as William F. Pogue - The builder of the Hana Highway, who literally created pathways enabling others’ journeys across Maui’s rugged landscape.
Albert Ueligitone as John Henry Wise - The first Native Hawaiian to play American college football, who traveled to Oberlin College for religious education and later became a pioneering Hawaiian language teacher at Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaiʻi, navigating the preservation of Hawaiian language through the turbulent era of overthrow and annexation.
Eden Lee Murray as Edna Allyn - The pioneering librarian who built Hawaiʻi’s unique statewide library system, creating pathways to knowledge for communities across all the Hawaiian islands.
EVENT DETAILS What: "Navigating New Ground” When: Thursday, April 23, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM (Doors Open) | 6:00 PM (Performance Begins) Where: Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives 553 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 Admission: Tickets: $45 per person, includes bento
https://missionhouses.org/events/living-history-theatre-april-23-2026/
WHY THIS STORY MATTERS Living History as Community Connection: In an age of digital distraction, first-person historical performance creates intimate, memorable encounters with the past that no screen can replicate. Untold Stories of Hawaiʻi: These four figures - a royal navigator, a road builder, a language preservationist, and a library pioneer - represent lesser-known chapters of Hawaiian history that shaped the islands we know today. Language Preservation in the Spotlight: John Henry Wise’s story resonates powerfully today as Hawaiian language revitalization continues to grow. He taught ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at a time when the language faced extinction - a story of cultural resilience. Local Talent Brings History to Life: Four local performers step into the shoes of historical figures, offering audiences a chance to meet the past face-to-face. Visual Opportunity: Costumed performers, the historic Mission Houses setting, and the companion exhibit provide a compelling experience.
# # # ABOUT HAWAIIAN MISSION HOUSES
The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (HMH) fosters thoughtful dialogue and greater understanding of the profound impact of Protestant missionaries on the history and culture of Hawai‘i. A National Historic landmark since 1965, HMH has the kuleana of preserving the two oldest remaining Western-style houses in Hawai‘i, the 1821 Frame House (Ka Hale Lāʻau), and as well as the 1831 Chamberlain House (Ka Hale Kamalani). HMH is also the “birthplace” of the printed Hawaiian language, and its Library & Archives is home to one of the largest collections of Hawaiian language printed material in the world. HMH is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, offering tours - including a demonstration of the printing press, educational field trips, and special programs such as history theatre performances which have earned multiple awards of excellence from the Hawaii State Theatre Council. Learn more about HMH at www.missionhouses.org.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3498861-0
