Stories of the LA Hawaiian Community: Kalo Project '99

LITTLE TOKYO-- Now in its third year of breakthrough performance, the Kalo Project Ensemble (member&Mac226;s of Los Angeles&Mac226;s Hawai&Mac226;I Community) proudly presents Kalo Project '99: Hoike an interdisciplinary/ intergenerational performance piece of theater, dance, and personal storytelling. The Kalo Project Ensemble will boldly unmask the complexities of their experience, bringing voice to an endangered culture that is often unseen or misrepresented. For one day only, Kalo Project '99: Ho'ike plays at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center&Mac226;s George Doizaki Gallery on Saturday, June 12th at 4pm and 8pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors. Advance tickets orders are strongly recommended and can be made through the JACCC box office at (213) 680-3700.

How have mainlanders misunderstood you and your culture? By exploding the picturesque image of Hawai'i as a care free, coconut playground paradise, Kalo Project &Mac226;99 explores the ignored and unspoken issues of cultural genocide, multi-racial identity and cultural displacement (homesickness and culture shock) in their original performance pieces. All the Ensemble members are based here in Los Angeles, and come from various traditional and professional performance backgrounds. It is Kalo Project's mission to further develop the artistic resources of Los Angeles residents who trace their heritage to Hawai'i and through Hawai'i to Asia and the Pacific.

Curated by Leilani Chan, this unique event is the culmination of a year of residency activities at the JACCC as a California Arts Council artist in residence. The performance itself is the grand finale of the Kalo Projects. Kalo Project &Mac226;99 kicked off with Talk Story booth at the Pacific Islander Festival earlier this month. Festival goers from LA's Pacific Islander community participated in this interactive installation by sharing personal, family, and group histories and tales. Another component of this event included Kalo Project Ensemble members video taped interviews of the community. Those interviewed shared stories from home, insights on intergenerational experiences, and details of their cross cultural
experience.

Contributions from this installation will be featured in the Kalo Project performances on June 12th. . Kalo Project &Mac226;99 is funded in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, the JACCC and supporters of TeAda Productions.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai'i, Kalo Project Director and Producer Leilani Chan is a nationally known performance artist who has been working with LA's Asian and Pacific Islander community since 1993. She is founder and director of TeAda Productions, producers of Kalo Projects. Through Kalo Projects, Leilani has brought together members of LA's Hawaiian community to create performances that meld the issues of today's Hawaii while honoring traditional Hawaiian practices. Her solo performance piece E Nana I Ke Kumu appeared at Highways Performance Space, New World Theater and various other venues throughout the country.

The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center is located in downtown LA, in Little Tokyo at 244 South San Pedro St. between 2nd and 3rd Street. Paid parking is available at nearby lots. The performance will be located in the JACCC George Doizaki Gallery, just inside the JACCC main entrance. For advance ticket orders call the JACCC box office at (213) 680-3700. More information regarding the Kalo Projects and TeAda Productions can be obtained through email at TeAda@aol.com.