Lahaina wildfire tribute play ‘Lele Wale’ returns to Maui

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Nearly three years after the Lahaina wildfires, a powerful Hawaiian theater production is returning home to Maui to honor the lives lost and support a community still healing.

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Lele Wale creator Ikaika Mendez and assistant directors Kaponianani Purdy and Kaʻenaaloha Watson joined HNN’s Sunrise Weekends to discuss the significance of the production and how those off-island can still support the healing process.

The production will be performed in the Haleakalā Ballroom at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, featuring an island-wide cast united in honoring the stories of Lahaina. Among the performers are several Lahaina residents who experienced the August 2023 wildfires firsthand.

Mendez, who is from Maui, says the play comes at a significant time as parts of Lahaina begin to reopen.

“Just so blessed to be able to contribute to this homecoming event, this rebuilding, this restoration of a community with bringing our production to Lahaina as well,” Mendez said.

Watson, who is based on Oʻahu, said she felt a deep connection when she first experienced the play.

“To experience this play and to feel the Eha, but also the revitalization and the rebuilding as we talk about of Lahui and how we see how strong Hawaii’s community is for each other is so beautiful,” Watson said.

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Lele Wale premiered in March at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa as Mendez’s MFA thesis production, and is now returning to Lahaina by invitation from Festivals of Aloha.

Purdy, who is also a performer in the production, hopes attendees leave with a sense of the strength of the Hawaiian people.

“There’s definitely a lot, but I feel like one of the main things is to remember is how strong we are as Kanaka.” Purdy said. “To know that our kupuna laid the path for us for success, and to continue to strive for sovereignty over our land and continue it into the next generation.”

Performance Schedule:

All performances will be held at the Haleakalā Ballroom at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa.

Tickets are $35, and community donations will directly support the production team’s travel and staging costs.

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To learn more visit www.festivalsofaloha.org/lelewale.