Myles said:

With much anticipation and eager to be “Wowed” I took my wife & 7-year old daughter to the “highly touted” Waikiki Nei show…I was expecting “Oooos” and “Aahhhhhss…” but left saying, “Hmm…that was OK, and sometimes good.” I’ve enjoyed several Broadway Productions, 3 “Cirque” produced shows (2 in Vegas), and this show’s predecessor - “Ulalena.” PERHAPS it was considerable “dollars I dropped” ($60 for my wife & $42 for my daughter at “Group discount pricing”) that left my wife & I debating whether we could truly recommend this show even at discount prices to our “circle of influence.” Here’s some of my thoughts/observations about the show. Upon arriving the excitement is palpable… Greeters and “seaters” are attired in smart-looking “throw-back” stylized costumes and are well versed with phrases such as, “Aloha & welcome…Enjoy the celebration.” The theater itself appears smaller then what is portrayed in the web-site, but lends itself to good sight lines, great acoustics, and a “cozy feel.” Seating rises above “stage level” and encompasses more then 50% of the stage. Flanking the left & right side of stage are the musicians, vocalists, and performers boxes rising “floor to ceiling”(over 40-feet?) covered with “see-thru” gauze-like drapes. It’s obvious when you survey the entirety of the stage & theater that the show’s producers have a considerable investment in the “physical structure” as well as the stage’s mechanical features.
The “Show…” Features a “cosmopolitan cast” of very attractive and talented male & female performers all of whom blend hula with modern dance, and sometimes gymnastics and aerial acrobatics, as well as singing. Costumes depict the simple and scant attire of local hawaiians of the early 1900’s, and depicts the “visitors” attire of that same time period (think “Gatsby” & bloomers). When the show moves through the “time-line” history of Waikiki, other dress/costume changes come into play (but aren’t so notable). What is notable about the production are several things. The LIVE MUSIC & vocal stylings choreographed to the show’s various parts adds an “organic richness” that can in no way be matched by “canned” or pre-recorded music. FOR ME THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT. The percussionist and the female vocalist were both memorable. I found myself at times paying attention to what the musicians and vocalists were doing rather then watching the stage performance. Also notable was the stage’s “mechanical adaptations/features” that gave a 3-dimensional feel to the surfing and canoe paddling scenes. My DAUGHTER & WIFE MOST ENJOYED the simulated under-water interplay between a male & female who both gracefully used the entire stage with their well choreographed aerial ballet (known as “Boleadoras”). This scene infused with the live music made for the production’s most memorable scene.
OTHER SCENES & NOTES: 10-minutes into the show, the emcee awkwardly interrupts the beginning scene with, “We apologize, but there is a glitch in the program. Will the performers please leave the stage. We will resume the show shortly.” - While show snags/snafus do occasionally happen, this was quite a momentum killer. Fortunately the glitch was solved and the “shill-like drape” that erroneously shrouded the entire stage was now retracted - Whew! A scene that was somewhat of a “time-period” homage to Queen Liliuokalani and the Monarchy’s subsequent over-throw…while I could understand/appreciate it, it may have been “muddled and lost” to others. Another scene referencing the advent of the high-rise development of Waikiki incorporated dance, “pipe banging” and drumming (ala “Stomp”) - entertaining…but was un-original not spectacular.
In summary, the performers, vocalists, and musicians all truly
poured their hearts into their individual performances, but in transitions, the show often seemed “DIS-JOINTED.” This was confirmed by both my wife and several other co-workers who were also in attendance. SO…SHOULD YOU GO SEE IT? If you can afford it “Yes.” It’s entertaining…but with our current economic dole-drums…I’m not so sure with what the show has to offer if other Hawaii residents will do so. “My 2-cents,” Myles.

—08/12/08