

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: WORLD PREMIERE | Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree | First Professional Hawaiian Opera
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 01 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm – Fri, 01 May, 2026 at 10:30 pm (-10:00)
- **Event Description**: WHERE HAWAIIAN HISTORY TAKES CENTER STAGE

Join us for the WORLD PREMIERE of the first professional Hawaiian opera. Performed in 'ōlelo Hawai'i.

Herb Mahelona, Composer
Victoria Nālani Kneubuhl, Librettist

Kumu Hula Patrick Keʻaniniʻulaokalani Makuakāne, Director &amp; Choreographer
Lance Inouye, Conductor

MAY 1, 2026 @ 7:30PM
MAY 3, 2026 @ 4PM
MAY 5, 2026 @ 7:30PM

KAMALEHUA: THE SHELTERING TREE tells the true story of Timoteo Haʻalilio, Royal Secretary and lifelong friend to King Kamehameha III.  Set in the mid-nineteenth century, the opera reveals the little-known history of the Hawaiian Kingdom and its early struggles to maintain independence. The focus is Haʻalilio's 1842-45 mission to the United States, Great Britain, Belgium, and France to secure treaties recognizing Hawaiʻi as a sovereign nation with the goal of protecting the kingdom from annexation by foreigners. Haʻalilio was accompanied by the Reverend William Richards, a trusted advisor and friend to both Haʻalilio and King Kamehameha III.  
 
During the expedition Haʻalilio and Richards met with officials, including US Secretary of State Daniel Webster and Lord Aberdeen, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Haʻalilio became quite the celebrity, particularly in Washington and Paris, due to his dashing presence and status as royalty from an exotic kingdom.

Although they received verbal, and in some cases written, recognition, no formal treaties were ratified. But the mission was successful in bringing the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi to the attention of those nations. During their return from Boston to Hawaiʻi in 1844, Haʻalilio's health declined rapidly, and he passed away less than a month into the voyage. 

The opera illustrates the sophistication and establishment of the Hawaiian government at the time, as well as the vigilance of Hawaiian leaders in dealing with the pressures and politics of the western world. While the story focuses on the unique culture, politics, and history of Hawaiʻi, its themes are universal.

Heading up the cast, in the lead role of Haʻalilio, will be internationally renowned Hawaiian baritone Quinn Kelsey who started his career in opera as a member of the HOT chorus in 1991. Kelsey is now in-demand across the U.S. and Europe, notable for his dynamic interpretations of Verdi roles.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/honolulu/world-premiere-|-kamalehua-the-sheltering-tree-|-first-professional-hawaiian-opera/200029847321643
- **Event Categories**: health-wellness, trips-adventures
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 2

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: http://tickets.hawaiiopera.org/?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=honolulu-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Honolulu
- **state**: HI
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Neal S Blaisdell Concert Hall
- **lat**: 21.301279815399
- **long**: -157.8499148165
- **full address**: Neal S Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 2
- **organizer**: Hawaii Opera Theatre (https://allevents.in/org/hawaii-opera-theatre/1161573)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/9f8061d982a7fb70d8b52a5c31e6375e4dc93f1b67c34ebb069d19fe81717f03-rimg-w750-h500-dc040302-gmir?v=1774207480
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/9d46b90bce87150633549065a81fa38fe63d48013fae1e2dd33770651d605f32-rimg-w300-h300-dc050403-gmir?v=1774207480

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Fri, 01 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm (-10:00)
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Neal S Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Hawaii Opera Theatre
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** health-wellness, trips-adventures
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about WORLD PREMIERE | Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree | First Professional Hawaiian Opera ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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