| Ulalena has many meanings on the island of Maui. | | | | audience, the beginning of life. |
| Ulalena is a state-of-the-art venue that was built | | | | Also discussed or made use of is the ocean, a |
| for a phenomenal show idea, but it also has | | | | mythical forest, a village, and much more. Each |
| another meaning. | | | | area seems to progress the story and teach |
| Ulalena is said to be a special wind that only | | | | something unique and intimate about Hawaii. The |
| occurs in Maui. According to Ancient Hawaiian | | | | Ocean is used to bring the first immigrants from |
| creation chants, it is also a form of rain that is | | | | Tahiti. These immigrants come to the area after |
| colored reddish yellow when revealed during the | | | | following visions of the volcano Goddess, Pele, and |
| twilight hours. This wind carries people to other | | | | the shark God, Kamohali'l. Once this happens, Maui, |
| times and places through memories and mythical | | | | the demi-god, is able to pull the islands from the |
| means. | | | | ocean. |
| The show, Ulalena, offers some of the best | | | | The forest comes next when ali'i dreams of Mo'o. |
| entertainment in Maui. If you see one show that | | | | Mo'o is a guardian spirit that takes the form of a |
| celebrates Hawaiian culture, this should be the | | | | lizard and lives in a waterfall. Trees in the |
| show you go see. The venue where the show is | | | | rainforest come to life. During this time, the gods |
| performed was built specifically for the show. This | | | | reflect upon pleasure and passion. The village is |
| allows each seat to have a special sense of | | | | shown with music, as men pound poi from taro |
| intimacy and interaction as the show goes on. | | | | root and women beat kapa to show simple |
| Ulalena takes the traditional Butoh theatre and | | | | Hawaiian life. |
| adds acrobatic moves, hula, and modern dance. | | | | The next portion of the Ulalena leads into the |
| Vivid, rich costume design and intense lighting and | | | | Makahiki festival. This harvest festival is to |
| stage design are all blended together to make the | | | | celebrate thanks, sports, and place a taboo on |
| perfect scene for a show based on Hawaiian | | | | war. However, an explorer from Europe comes |
| history and legends. You will have the chance to | | | | along and interrupts the festival at its peak |
| watch a show so amazing, you cannot help but | | | | moments. |
| feel like you are right there in the middle of it all. | | | | The residents vow to respect the man, thinking |
| Critics have said that Ulalena is the best show to | | | | he is a God coming from above and turning to |
| come from Hawaii in years. It has been called | | | | human form. |
| magical and powerful. What started as a myth | | | | The shadows arrive showing the old world, the |
| has come to the stage in a glowing portrait of | | | | new, and the differences that arise once the King |
| Hawaiian beliefs. Ulalena begins with a man on a | | | | has died and the system of the old ways is |
| spiritual quest who is heading for an unknown | | | | overthrown. The Hawaiian Monarchy brings people |
| destination. As he walks, taro, a food staple of | | | | from around the world to work in the sugar cane |
| Hawaii, appears from the ground, and shows the | | | | fields, as sugar becomes an important product. |