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