The Polynesian Cultural Center is preparing for the opening of Ha: Breath of Life, a new night show at the Pacific Theater. The $3 million production debuts on Aug. 14 at the north shore Oahu attraction.
The show's lead character, Mana, evolves through the life themes of boyhood, young love, appreciation for elders and respect for community, all of which are central to Polynesian cultures.
“Our night show has always served as the perfect ending for our guests after spending a day at the center,” said Von Orgill, president of the Polynesian Cultural Center. “With Ha: Breath of Life, we’ve created an interactive and engaging experience that captivates audiences while it reinforces what they’ve learned about our Polynesian cultures through the telling of one man’s life story. It also allows us to illustrate the storyline in animation, dance and music so that guests no longer require translation to understand what is happening on stage.”
Ha: Breath of Life showcases a redesigned stage in the Pacific Theater that creates a 360-degree experience, bringing clients into the heart of the show and allowing for surprises throughout. Original compositions produced with cultural experts from each of the center’s island villages set the tone for each scene, as Mana goes through the cultures of Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti and Fiji. The addition of original animation helps transition from one culture to the next.
“The new show has been in production for the past three years with a coordinated effort that started at the grassroots level in our island villages and worked its way through our production team,” said Alfred Grace, chief operating officer for the Polynesian Cultural Center.
“We’re really excited to share Ha with everyone and bring something new to Hawaii’s visitor industry to help further enhance our destination.”
Ha: Breath of Life replaces the long running Horizons: Where the Sea Meets the Sky, which has been running since 1996.
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