Hawaiian History

Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree by composer Herb Mahelona and librettist Victoria Kneubuhl brings a pivotal chapter of Hawaiian history to the operatic stage! Featuring celebrated Hawaiian baritone Quinn Kelsey - returning to the company where he began his career - in the role of Timoteo Haalilio, the diplomat who helped the Kingdom of Hawaii gain independence, the production is directed by Patrick Makuakane.

What Is The Story?

The opera follows Haalilio, the Royal Secretary and confidant to King Kamehameha III, as he embarks on a high-stakes diplomatic mission between 1842 and 1845. Accompanied by advisor William Richards, Haalilio travels through the United States and Europe to secure formal recognition of Hawaii's sovereignty. Meeting influential Western statesmen as he rises as a figure in foreign capitals, the opera charts the personal toll on Ha'alilio alongside a study of national identity during Victorian-era geopolitics, and the dedication of a leader striving to protect his homeland.