O'ahu Cemetery Pupu Theatre: Visions of Hospitality

The latest installment of our popular Pūpū Theatre series, features five captivating historical portrayals that trace the evolution of Hawai'i's hospitality and tourism industries through the 19th and 20th centuries.

Set against the backdrop of one of Honolulu's most significant historical sites, this immersive theatrical experience brings to life the remarkable stories of individuals who shaped Hawai'i's world-renowned hospitality tradition. From royal voyages to hotel magnates, musicians to infrastructure visionaries, these portrayals offer a fascinating glimpse into Hawai'i's past.

"This year's program showcases how diverse individuals helped establish Hawai'i's reputation for hospitality long before it became a global tourist destination," says Mike Smola, Director of Education at the Hawaiian Mission Houses. "These stories reveal the cultural foundations and entrepreneurial spirit that created the visitor industry we know today."

Featured this year are:

Manuia (d. 1829) - A cousin of O'ahu Governor Boki who accompanied King Kamehameha II Queen Kamāmalu, and their entourage to London to visit King George IV in 1824 as the king's steward. He later established some of Hawai'i's earliest hospitality ventures, including boarding houses and grog shops.

Alexander Young (1833-1910) - Born in Scotland, Young became Hawai'i's first hotel magnate, building the Alexander Young Hotel in downtown Honolulu – a magnificent six-story structure introducing unprecedented luxury to the islands, and acquiring both the Moana Hotel and Hawaiian Hotel.

John Charles Kapilikea Sumner Ellis (1877-1914) - A celebrated hapa-haole virtuoso known as "The Hawaiian Caruso" who elevated Hawaiian music internationally alongside his brother William Sumner Ellis, Ernest Ka'ai, Sonny Cunha, and the Royal Hawaiian Band. As a respected employee at the Hawaii Promotion Committee, he helped establish the foundation for Hawaii's tourism industry while showcasing the islands' rich musical heritage to the world.

Margaret Morgan McCarthy (1865-1934) - Wife of Territorial Governor Charles McCarthy, she established the Donna Hotel on Beretania Street in 1910 and managed numerous apartment properties in Waikīkī while instituting several hospitality traditions at Washington Place that are still maintained today, such as, putting lei on Queen Lili'uokalani's reception chair.

William Fawcett Pogue (1856-1932) - Maui visionary, born to missionary parents in Lahaina, transformed Hawaii as an irrigation expert and county supervisor. Pogue spearheaded the completion of the Hana Highway, which opened in 1926 with dual purpose: connecting isolated Hana residents with greater Maui, while creating what would become one of Hawaii's most spectacular tourism routes.

We are thrilled to be back at O'ahu Cemetery this year! Your ticket includes a bento box dinner and 2 drinks, as well as the open-air performances with Q&A afterwards for those who would like to stay.

About O'ahu Cemetery Pūpū Theatre
The O'ahu Cemetery Pūpū Theatre series brings Hawai'i's history to life through intimate theatrical portrayals set within the historic grounds of O'ahu Cemetery. Each annual production focuses on a different theme relevant to Hawai'i's unique cultural and historical landscape, offering visitors and residents alike a deeper connection to the islands' past.

Tickets includes a heavy pupu bento and 1 drink ticket

Time:
5:00 pm: doors open for pupu's and drinks at cemetery chapel
6:00 pm: performances begin

Click here to buy tickets