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'Ohi'a
Productions is a non-profit, § 501(c)(3) organization founded
in March of 1995 by Lisa Matsumoto and Michael Furuya to provide
creative, educational and inspiring theatrical experiences to
Hawai'i's children and families. We seek to develop creativity
and self expression in Hawai'i's school children while promoting
cultural and environmental awareness and education.
Our
Educational Road Shows' entertaining and informative presentation
of its environmental themes receives highly positive evaluations
from attending students, faculty and environmental organizations.
The shows proved to be such a powerful vehicle in educating students
and the public about environmental concerns that the Department
of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) began to sponsor video productions
of the shows. The DLNR donates two copies of the videos to every
elementary school and library in the State of Hawai'i, making
these educational shows available to every student in Hawai'i.
We
also offer our Imagination Soars! program. This program
requires student participation and uses creative drama to promote
literacy and personal growth through the arts. Using the national
standards as a guide, this program addresses multiple learning
in the classroom and builds verbal and non-verbal communication
skills. Students are encouraged to express themselves in fun drama
activities that promote critical thinking and problem solving.
Drama activities also allow students to gain confidence and increased
self-esteem. The Imagination Soars! program is an excellent
introduction or follow-up to the Educational Road Shows as drama
sessions cover topics directly related to the themes of the touring
shows offered.
Our
'Ohana Program stages Broadway style musical productions to
the general community. Its purpose is dedicated to creating enjoyable
entertainment as well as providing an excellent vehicle for families
to spend quality time together.
Past Productions:
We
opened our 1995-1996 season focusing on literacy and cultural
awareness with the shows I Wish…Wishing Tales from Around the
World and Legends of the Pacific, which collectively played to
over 10,000 students.
The
1996-1997 season followed with Voices of the Rainforest which
played to over 18,000 students. Voices of the Rainforest journeyed
deep into a Hawaiian rainforest showcasing the fascinating native
plants and creatures of Hawai'i's past and present. Their stories
taught the valuable lesson of maintaining balance and harmony
in nature to protect and preserve what is left of our precious
rainforests. Voices of the Rainforest also toured to the islands
of Kaua'i, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Maui and Hawai'i, sharing this entertaining
and educational show with students across the State.
Our
1997-1998 production, In the Clear Blue Sea, celebrated the International
Year of the Coral Reef (1997) and the International Year of the
Ocean (1998). The production explored the importance of coral
reefs and the need of maintaining the delicate balance of the
ocean's food chain. Unique and endangered native species were
featured, such as the Pacific Green Sea Turtle and the rare Pacific
Hawksbill Turtle. The show played to over 32,000 students on O'ahu,
Kaua'i, Maui and Hawai'i.
In 1998-1999, Under the Hawaiian Sky explored the many ecological
zones and habitats of our islands, showing why Hawai'i is one
of the most special places on Earth. The show took students on
a journey from atop an alpine desert down to the dryland forest
to meet the many unique plants and creatures found only in Hawai'i
and illustrated the need to protect these unique species by preserving
the fragile habitats in which they live. Endemic species featured
included the rare wekiu bug and endangered birds such as the Po'ouli,
considered to be the rarest bird in the world. The show played
to over 35,000 students.
Our 1999-2000 season, Beneath the Ocean Blue explored the ocean's
depths to take a closer look at the fascinating creatures who
make their home in Hawai'i's deep ocean. Topics covered included
over fishing and marine mammals such as the endangered Hawaiian
monk seal, Humpback whales and spinner dolphins. The show also
discussed the important role sharks play in the ocean food chain.
Our
2000 – 2001 season offered Wings of the Islands which journeyed
to the forest, wetlands and sea to visit many of the incredible
and diverse bird species who make their home in our islands. Species
featured included wetland birds such as the endangered Hawaiian
Stilt and the Hawaiian Duck. The show also introduced some of
the forest birds who belong to the incredibly diverse Hawaiian
honeycreeper family. Also featured are seabirds and their importance
in helping to nourish the land. Wings of the Islands showcases
these fascinating creatures and illustrates the need to protect
them and their fragile habitats.
In
July 2001, our 'Ohana Program produced its first large scale musical
On Dragonfly Wings, a stage adaptation of the award-winning children's
book Wailana the Waterbug. This inspirational story was inspired
by the life of little Alana Dung, who at the young age of 3 lost
her battle with leukemia. Using the metaphor of the waterbug's
miraculous metamorphosis into a beautiful dragonfly the play offered
an alternate portrayal of death as not being an end, but instead,
a beginning. On Dragonfly Wings' inspiring message reminded us
that the spirit lives on, it is a celebration of life and the
human spirit.
Population
Served
Through
the Educational Road Shows, Imagination Soars! and
'Ohana Programs, 'Ohi'a Productions serve Hawai'i's students,
families and visitors of all ethnicity, religious backgrounds,
and socio-economic levels. Eventually we hope to expand and broaden
our audiences to extend to the continental United States and abroad.
Community
Need
Our
programs address the following community needs:
- Introduces
students and families to the arts
Art programs are often not funded within the elementary
school system. Our programs provide an affordable means of taking
the arts to the classroom and serve as a valuable introduction
to creative drama and theatre productions.
Because we produce original works, the productions are written
specifically for the target audience. Many of the shows cater
to Hawai'i residents, introducing them to theatre and the performing
arts. 'Ohi'a Productions' staff have entertained Hawai'i audiences
since 1991 with original works playing to sold out audiences
consisting primarily of non-theatre goers.
- An
affordable and efficient program to integrate in the classroom
For most schools, traveling to a theatre requires an all-day
excursion with higher excursion fees due to bus fare and theatre
rental. By providing touring shows and videos, we allow schools
to save on excursion fees and spend more time in the classroom.
Because we travel to each school, bookings can be made on any
day of the school year which can easily complement related subjects
taught during a given time period. Teachers and students may
also view and enjoy the videos as often as needed, allowing
them unlimited access to each show.
- Promotes
environmental awareness, education and preservation
Hawai'i's remote location supplemented by a fertile environment
has made it one of the most unique places on the earth. Hawai'i
hosts an abundance of native species, many of which cannot be
found elsewhere in the world. 'Ohi'a Productions addresses the
need to educate students, teachers and the public about our
environment and how they can play a part in preserving it.
- The
arts as a vehicle to preserve culture
'Ohi'a's commitment to environmental awareness advocates traditional
Hawaiian practices of respecting the land and ocean resources
and highlights the qualities which make Hawai'i special.
- Positive
role models for the community
All aspects of 'Ohi'a Productions' performances, including scripts
and songs, have been created in Hawai'i by residents of Hawai'i.
Therefore, issues raised by the performances are consistent
with those that Hawai'i's children face. Furthermore, the performers
and creative drama facilitators have grown up in Hawai'i and
thus have faces and mannerisms which are familiar to the children
in the audience. As one elementary teacher noted, "Students
see on stage people like themselves and this makes them feel
as if it's okay to share their talents and express themselves."
Additionally, performers and creative drama facilitators are
able to enhance the children's learning by presenting drama
as a positive form of self-expression, serving as an alternative
to drugs and violence. In addition, local artists are thus afforded
an opportunity to nurture, showcase and share their talents.
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