I revisited “‘Auana,” the Cirque du Soleil spectacle, the other night at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber resort.
The show, launched last December, has just passed its six-month residency, with its stunning 80-minute spectacle in the heart of the Waikiki mainstream. I said in a December review that Cirque is the future of Waikiki attractions. Highly visible, a non-stop showcase of faith in Hawaiiana, loaded with artistry and creativity. And huge.
Business has been brisk, with two performances at 5:30 and 8 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays.
The good news: “‘Auana” — Hawaiian for wandering, drifting thoughts – has an agreement with the Outrigger for a run of 10 years, a keen investment by the hotel with the team from Montreal, Canada, known for its prolific planting of performance companies in a wide range of destinations over the decades.
Honolulu is the creator’s newest production, with pure Hawaii story lines, with narrations and songs and dancers, delivered in native Hawaiian language. Though the title of the show might suggest wandering, it’s quite certain “‘Auana” will stay put here. It is the essence of the ‘olele spirit (language, speech, texture) of original island songs and dances. And the Hawaii influences flow beautiful in the lively choreography embellished by the eye-filling island costumes
Cirque’s next launch will be Germanic, in Berlin, in November 2025.
Instead of another review of the Waikiki show, let me share highlights via a recapitulation of images of the major segments that have resonated with an audience comprised largely of spectators who don’t speak or understand Hawaiian. Not to fret …this is a wholly visual endeavor, and a satisfying cultural entity. Let us count the ways.
1 – A journey via canoe sets the story in motion…
2—A surfer dude defies gravity and “surfs” on cylinders…
3 – A segment on the naupaka flower depicts the bloom’s unique idiosyncrasy: only half-a-flower emerges from the buds.
4—Let’s call this the balloon boy, whose feat is a wonderment.
5—If there’s an acrobat, and an oversized cocktail glass filled with water, she’ll share her balletic poses.
6—A salute to “Hawaii Five-O” features a tourist ork (from the audience), for comic relief. More fun than gents learning to hula.
7—The Hawaiian sand painter creates images with, yes, sand and hand…shared on the show’s huge screen…
8—And voila, her art sashays into a mystifying, colorful rainbow…backed by a sweet vocal by a gent of “Over the Rainbow,” delivered in – what else? – Hawaiian.
9—Hawaii welcomes visitors, so why not include a cache of postcards?
10 – And Hawaii means beach boys, too, so they get their moments of fame.
11—When it’s time to bid adieu, the word to know is “aloha” (again, on a postcard).
12 – Two daredevils walk, jump rope, and risks their lives in this rotating
behemoth, often featured in a traditional circus…
13—And this being Cirque du Soleil, the finale means a burst of color, too…
14 – And this is us when the bright lights go off – me, grandnephew John Rhoades, and my wife Violet…
And that’s Show Biz…
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Cirque du Soleil’s “‘Auana”
When: 5:30 and 8 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays
Where: Cirque showroom, second floor, Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel
Tickets: From $86; visit https://www.tickets-center.com
Discounts available for kamaaina and military
Information: (877) 773-6470