In honor of the centennial of Kilauea Military Camp and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network presents a look back at the people who were a part of the beginnings of both entities. ADVERTISING In honor
In honor of the centennial of Kilauea Military Camp and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network presents a look back at the people who were a part of the beginnings of both entities.
“Kilauea 1916: A Centennial Celebration of KMC & HVNP” explores the unique partnership between KMC and the HVNP, which began in 1916 when a group of Hilo businessmen raised the necessary funds to build and operate a permanent camp on land owned by Bishop Estate. The camp was to serve as a rest and relaxation facility for military troops as well a training ground for the local National Guard members. Later that same year, HVNP was established.
“Since the Kilauea Theater is our home, we were honored when KMC asked us to put together a show to commemorate their centennial. We were happy to oblige. There is so much history in the area, we are taking a look at some of the people who were there when it all began; businessmen, politicians, Buffalo soldiers and the local Japanese immigrants” said KDEN’s Suzi Bond.
Dick Hershberger, who portrays Thomas Jaggar in KDEN’s Living History program “A Walk Into the Past” has written an entertaining look at some of the characters who were a part of the Volcano community as the camp and park became a reality.
The show is a series of vignettes where the characters tell their story, narrated by a reporter having a conversation with Isabel Jaggar as she is preparing to board a ship in Honolulu to take her back to Hilo and her Volcano home. On the dock are musicians playing the music of the era. Other characters in the show include Dr. Jaggar, Lorrin Thurston, Gov. Walter Frear, Cpl. Ovid Smith, George Lycurgus. Mitsue Tanaka, Shizuka Yasunaka and Hidechi Yasunaka. Members of the cast include Arlene Araki, Stephen Bond, Bill Chikasuye, Dick Hershberger, Joel Kelley, Theresa Miller, Steve Peyton, Ray Ryan and Samantha Saiki. Karl Halemano is coordinating the music.
“Kilauea 1916: A Centennial Celebration of KMC & HVNP” will be performed Aug. 19-28 at KMC’s Kilauea Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
Info: 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.
