Popular Hula Show Says Farewell to Waikīkī

by Sandy Harjo Livingston - KHON2 - 1/28/26

HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Hawaiʻi’s famous Waikīkī Beach, a free public hula show has spent the past year telling a story rooted in healing, place and memory.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the final performance of The Return of Kapaemahu will take place at the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound to close out a yearlong series that brought an old moʻolelo back into public view.

The free weekly show told the story of four legendary healers of dual male and female spirit who traveled from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi.

Known as māhū, Kapaemahu, Kapuni, Kinohi and Kahaloa shared healing knowledge and aloha. Their legacy lives on in four pōhaku near today’s performance site.

The show was partially funded through the Hoʻokipia Malahini initiative of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and the Hawaiian Council. Performances drew thousands of visitors and local residents to a City and County of Honolulu public space in Waikīkī and created a shared moment of culture, place and story.

The cast of The Return of Kapaemahu on the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound in Waikīkī.

The Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound sits just steps from the stones that honor the māhū healers. That setting mattered to the cast and creators.

Mark Mauikānehoalani, a cast member and teacher at Waikīkī Elementary, spoke to the show’s relevance.

“As a teacher, it’s important for me to find examples, not just of authentic culture, which I teach, but also of instances within the culture that still bear relevance to current events, to national politics, and things that my students may encounter in their daily lives,” he said.

The premiere in January 2025 came days after national remarks that sparked fear and anxiety around gender identity. Against that backdrop, the story offered a different lesson.

A message from kūpuna

Rooted in Hawaiian knowledge passed down across generations, the story draws guidance from ancestral values rather than modern debate. Patrick Makuakāne is the kumu hula who composed and directed the show took a moment to describe its deeper meaning.

“At its core, this story is a reminder from our kūpuna of how to treat people with aloha and respect even if you view them as different,” he said.

The production was inspired by Kapaemahu, an animated short film nominated for an Oscar, revived the moʻolelo by the work of Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi.

The project was designed to speak to audiences far beyond traditional cultural spaces. By placing the story in a public space in the heart of Waikīkī, the production reached people with little prior exposure to the moʻolelo. Dean Hamer, a co director of both projects, reflected on the show’s reach.

“This show reached beyond the choir, bringing a powerful message of healing and belonging to so many folks, including kids and parents, who had never heard about this part of Hawaiian history,” he said.

Final performance details

The final performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound on Kalākaua Avenue.