Windward Community College Palikū Theatre, presents Massie/Kahahawai, a story of race, poverty, a justice system that favors the wealthy and the unsung heroes who risked everything to do the right thing. The discriminatory events surrounding the infamous Thalia Massie case influenced the new state of Hawaiʻi and indelibly changed Hawaiʻi politics. Massie/Kahahawai is based on court records, newspaper articles and witness testimony. The play runs October 20–28.
Massie/Kahahawai is directed by Taurie Kinoshita and performed by Windward CC Theatre 260 students—Cassidy Patmont, Chase Jusseaume, Chivalry Butler, Darla Richards, Johnathon Young, Jessica Jusseaume, Kelly Segal, Likeke Nakachi-Isaacs, Micah Souza, Michael Wall, Mikie Davidson, Noah Schuetz and Spencer McCarrey.
The Massie case
In 1931, Massie, the privileged wife of a Naval officer, accused five locals of raping her. Although witnesses saw her being followed by a white man, two Hawaiians and three other locals were arrested. The five defendants, who had been in a documented traffic accident at the time of the alleged incident, were arrested, put on trial, defamed publicly and had their names and private addresses printed in Honolulu newspapers.
After the ensuing mistrial, one of the defendants, Joseph Kahahawai, was kidnapped and killed. The four murderers were convicted of manslaughter and ultimately were set free—spending not a single day in jail.
Show information
Show dates and times:
- October 20–21 and 26–28: 7:30 p.m.
- October 22 and 25: 4 p.m.
Tickets
- $5 students, seniors, military (with ID)
- $10 Adults
Purchase tickets online at eTicketHawaii or call (808) 235-7310 to charge by phone. Due to adult situations and themes, this play is recommended for ages 14 and older. Running time is 85 minutes.
For more information, please visit the Palikū Theatre website.
—By Bonnie Beatson
