Hawaiian culture showcased at Manitoba Theatre for Young People

In Hawaiian, pa’akai means salt. It’s food, medicine, and a treasured gift. A new, original play at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, titled ‘The Pa’akai We Bring’, not only brings the pa’akai story to audiences — it also brings a message of healing.

The Pa’akai We Bring tells the story of salt farms in Hanapepe, going back thousands of years to when it was said the fire goddess, Pele, first taught how to make salt.

“There are so many ‘Olelo No’eau, or wise sayings, that come from those who come before us. The first one that comes to mind is quite simple, and it’s aloha ke kahi I ke kahi,” said Lokomaika’i Lipscomb.

“We give aloha to and from one another … I think if you keep in that mindset that we’re always trying and also be ready to receive, that things will come up. Times will challenge us. We gotta keep that aloha moving. Just like the pa’akai, just like the water, it needs to flow. If we stop the aloha, if we stop the healing, we stop the connection away. Then we’re really going to find ourselves even more challenged. So when those challenges come up, if we can keep that aloha flowing and stay together and move together, I think that’s how we will find a better way into the future.”

Lipscomb, one of four performers in the play, says she hopes audience members who don’t necessarily have a connection to Hawaii can still find themselves in the music and words of the piece.

“We hope, too, that people will see something in the show that they recognize. Many of the things may be unfamiliar but maybe there’s something that connects them to their family or a tradition that is deeply important to them that they want to also put energy towards to keep those things going into the future.”

Lipscomb says the play, which hails from the Honolulu Theatre for Youth Production, is meant to give audiences an authentic representation of Native Hawaiian culture.

“It’s the most amazing place. We just want to make sure that people come with a good spirit, a good heart, and understand that we are from there. We do live there, people have lived there for generations and will continue to do so … No place is meant to be visited and just exploited or damaged in that way so we would hope that people have a deeper appreciation in Hawaii so when they do come as visitors, they can bring a hand that is ready to be open, open-minded and ready to serve as well,” said Lipscomb.

The show’s creative lead, Moses Goods, echoes Lipscomb’s sentiment.  

“The show was sort of created knowing that it would enter into communities outside of Hawaii so we wanted to showcase the real Hawaii and not just the touristy side of Hawaii,” explained Goods.

“We want you to enjoy Hawaii, we want you to have fun. But we also want you to respect the Indigenous people of our islands. Those islands are my ancestral homeland. It is a playground but it’s also sacred to me. It’s something that, it means a lot to us if you come respecting our land and not just hoping to be served.”

Audiences have until May 5 to watch The Pa’akai We Bring.