A new play at Kumu Kahua Theatre in Honolulu, "Aitu Fafine," focuses on the life of acclaimed writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his family in Vailima, Samoa. Stevenson is best known for the classic novel, "Treasure Island." He moved to Samoa in 1890 and died there four years later.

Written by celebrated local playwright Victoria Nalani Knuebuhl, the play weaves together themes of relationships and the supernatural while examining the portrayal of women in literature.
It's directed by Lurana O’Malley, a theater professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She sat down with The Conversation in our studio to talk about the production.
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"Aitu Fafine" opens on Jan. 25 and runs through Feb. 25. Performances run Thursdays to Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
There will be a talk story with the cast and crew on Feb. 2 following the performance. An ASL-signed performance is on Feb. 18. Click here for tickets.
This story aired on The Conversation on Jan. 25, 2024. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1.