Open Your Hearts Wide Cast

Donna Blanchard is the Managing Director of Kumu Kahua Theatre, President of the Hawaii State Theatre Council, Executive Team Member of the `Ohina Showcase, Labs and Films, and a Community Advisory Board Member of Hawai`i Public Radio. She received her BFA from the Professional Actors’ Training Program of Wright State University, followed by training at Chicago’s Second City Training Center; her body of work includes acting, directing, teaching, and business direction specializing in rescue and growth. She is also a freelance writer and author and illustrator of the book, “Sometimes Adults Are Stupid: but you shouldn’t use that word.”

BETTY BOLTON is a local girl and has always called Hawaii home. She has appeared in several DHT productions and has participated in the PlayBuilders Festival and HPUʻs "The #Metoo Monologues." Betty also enjoys working with many talented local film makers appearing in short films. Betty is honored to be part of OYHW and help share the incredible history of the people of Hawaii.

LALA KAMALANI BUZZELL feels so thrilled to work with PlayBuilders of Hawai’i. Lala is a trained actor (London + UH-Manoa) with thirty years of experience.

Stephanie Conching has directed many productions including Sylvia MVT, Amahl and the Night Visitors HYOC, Evita ACT, Oliver ACT, Jackie An American Life DHT, and Sweeney Todd ACT, for which she received a Po’okela award. She has been seen onstage in productions of Carousel DHT, Seussical DHT, West Side Story UH, and Agnes of God ACT, along with opera productions of La Traviata, Marriage of Figaro, Susannah and Elektra. With HOT, Stephanie also directed touring productions of Hansel & Gretel, Aesop's Fables, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. She also played the title role in L'enfant et les Sortileges with the Hawaii Opera Studio. Her film and TV credits include, Hawaii 5-0 and Parts of the Same Circle. She was the costume designer for To the Last Hawaiian Soldier at KKT, stage manager for Allegiance MVT, Music Consultant for As You Like It with HSF via zoom, and most recently played the role of Effie in Waiting for the Host MVT.

Michael "Donut" Donato is enjoys the open and supportive theatrical community here on Oahu.

R. Kevin Garcia Doyle is the director of the School of the Arts at Mid-Pacific on Oahu in Hawai'i. He is a recipient of the Hawai'i State Theater Counsel's Pierre Bowman Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the theater community. As a director, he's worked with Hawaii Shakespeare Festival, Kumu Kahua Theatre and Manoa Valley Theatre, among other. His work with Hawai'i improv groups On The Spot, Loose Screws and improv rock band Oil in the Alley has afforded him the opportunity to perform and teach from L A. to London.

Kaipo Kaleokūikealoaloha Dudoit is a graduated hoʻopaʻa from Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua, under the tutelage of Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero. His last roles were at Kumu Kahua Theatre as: Jermaine/Sargent (Lovey Lee), Kaʻōʻō (Way of A God), and Mālosi (Faʻalavelave: The Interruption). He is honored and humbled to be a part of this journey in bridging our histories into our present.

Walter Eccles has done theatre, Radio, TV and a little bit of film. He has appeared in Baywatch, Hawaii 5-O and Magnum PI. He originally came to Hawaii to teach and act with Honolulu Theatre for Youth. A favorite role with HTY was Cyrano. For the past several years he is very proud to have served as a Trustee on the HTY Board. He works in technology, lives with his family, Dina, kids Jake and Maya, and dogs Sammie and Jax.

Iāsona Kaper is an actor and translator from Kāneʻohe. After graduating from Mid-Pac, he completed his BA and MA in Hawaiian at UH-Mānoa. Recent acting credits include Way of a God at Kumu Kahua and ʻAuʻa ʻIa: Holding On at Kennedy Theatre.

Claire Fallon has a Bachelor of Science in Theatre from Skidmore College. Claire moved to Philadelphia to work with under served inner-city youth, guiding them in improvisational theatre techniques to help them prepare for interviews and court appearances. She has studied at The University of the Arts and with The People's Light and Theatre Company in Philadelphia. She created and performed 'In Constant Perfection' for The Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Claire is a founder and co-owner of The Wayfinder Experience, a theatrically therapeutic summer camp for kids in Upstate New York. There she has developed and taught improvisational theatre workshops to youth. In Puerto Rico, she opened a yoga studio: Culebra Yoga, a movie theater: Cine Culebra, and taught at The Abbie School. More recently, Claire stoked the fires of creative expression for the young women of St. Andrew's Schools, as Director of Theatre from 2014-2017.

Actress and VoiceOver Artist, Sara Malia Hatfield, is delighted to add a bit of VO magic to “OYHW" as Alexa. Born and raised in Makaha, Hawaii, she is a graduate of UHM’s Theatre Dept and NYC’s William Esper Conservatory. Her most recent work includes audiobook narrations for award winning author Toby Neal’s “Paradise Crime” series and recent memoir “Freckled”. You may have also catched her onstage at Manoa Valley Theatre’s “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time”.

Kaloku Holt born and raised in Kalihi O’ahu was submersed in the Hawaiian culture at an early age with both sides of his family achieving heights in both music and hula. Kaloku has been in the cultural performing arts scene for many years and spent time along the west coast, Hawai’i and Japan as a performer and recording artist. His hula influence comes from his late mother, Deva Yamashiro of Halau Hula Kaleinani O Ke Kukui. The mother and son are also both haumana of Kaloku’s aunty, Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine of Halau Hula Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima. Kaloku has been blessed to accept his kuleana and sustain his mothers work as Executive Director of Ke Kukui Foundation and lead hula instructor for Kaleinani o Ke Kukui.

Tom Lundell is a happily married husband of 28 years to his wife Kristi and proud father of five wonderful children. He most recently shared the stage with his youngest son, Pono, in DHT's 2019 production of Sound of Music. Tom is a songwriter, keyboardist, amateur ukulele player and singer. He also helps to lead worship at his church. Tom is honored to be a part of this special story-telling production. After 31 years living in Hawaii, he is constantly amazed my the rich history and mysteries that our found in Olelo Hawaii. Tom extends his heart of gratitude to Elizabeth, Kumu Vicky and the rest of this amazing team for putting this incredible project together.

Charles Kaaiai recently retired from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council as the Community and Indigenous Program Coordinator. He acted in community theater while in college. He was working as a consultant for the Seafood industry when he was approached by Playbuilders for a project about Hawai’i’s fishing community. Asked to read for Open Your Hearts Wide, he was cast as Hewahewa.

Lelea'e “Buffy” Kahalepuna-Wong hails from Kaimuki, O’ahu, and is a multiple HSTC Po’okela Awards recipient. She was recently seen in Lovey Lee as well as The Conversion of Kaʻahumanu, both at Kumu Kahua Theatre. Some of her previous credits include: ʻAuʻa ʻIa: Holding On(UH). Fa`alavelave: The Interruption, Wild Birds, iHula, Not One Batu(KKT). Happily Eva Afta, Lysistrata Jones(MVT). Les Miserables, Once on this Island(PKT). Kinolau, Ku A Mo’o(HTY). When she isn't on stage, Buffy is a proud hui member and model for Manaola Hawai'i, a popular culture-conscious clothing line that perpetuates Hawaiian culture and values through fashion and design.

Wil Kahele is celebrating 30 years as part of the Honolulu acting community. He has done several local television commercials and independent films through the years, including many stage plays and musicals at Diamond Head Theatre, Manoa Valley Theatre and Kumu Kahua Theatre. Aside from acting, Wil has also directed several productions at Kumu Kahua and is also trying his hand at playwriting. His second play, Blue, will be produced at Kumu Kahua theatre next season.

Kelty recently received his PhD in Asian Theatre at UH Manoa and has lived in Hawai'i seven years.

Pō´ai Lincoln was born and raised in Waimea on the Big Island. She is a company actor at the Honolulu Theatre for Youth and is a professionally trained musician who focuses on the perpetuation of Hawaiian music styles and history. She is a storyteller who is keenly aware of how word choice influences the audience and how the perspective of the storyteller informs the narrative. Her most recent community theatre productions include Fa'alavelave "The Interuption" (KKT), The Watcher of Waipuna (KKT), Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train (TAG) and Pakalolo Sweet (KKT).

Kaiwi Lyman-Mersereau is a versatile actor known best for his film and television roles. Most recently he wrapped filming, Cop Shop opposite Gerard Butler and Frank Grillo. The intense action/thriller was directed by Joe Carnahan (Smoking Aces, The Grey, The A Team) and is set to release late 2021. Before that, Kaiwi was working on hit Quibi series, Don’t Look Deeper with Don Cheadle and Emily Mortimer directed by Catherine Hardwick (Twilight, Lords of Dogtown, Thirteen). Kaiwi is a graduate of MPSA, Mid Pacific School of the Arts where he was immersed in collegiate level training throughout his four years of high school. A long time practitioner Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kaiwi can be seen in many of his action films doing his own stunts. He has a strong love for the ocean and surfing that was embedded into him growing up in Hawaii. Kaiwi splits his time between Brazil in Southern California with his wife and two children.

Eden Lee Murray Eden Lee is a professional actor/director/artist-educator. Since coming to O`ahu 1992, she has directed or performed in every major venue on Oahu, earning sixteen Po‘okela Awards for her work. From 2009 – 2016, she served as Education Director at the Hawaii Theatre Center, producing, directing, performing and teaching at that beautiful historical venue, where she presented Marion Lyman Mersereau’s play, EDDIE WEN’ GO. Eden Lee has been featured in a number of Hawaii Shakespeare Festival’s productions, most recently playing Falstaff in HSF’s virtual production of MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. She is in her third year as the Theatre Instructor at La Pietra--Hawaii School for Girls.

Aaron Pughes has been hosting and performing at stand up comedy, improv and sketch comedy shows since 2010. He appeared as Barry Wheeler in MVT’s Tony and Tina’s Wedding. Aaron started performing at Laughtrack Theatre before founding Think Fast Improv. He currently performs with Think Fast Improv, as one half of the puppet improv duo Extra Creature, and cast member of Last Show on Earth.

Originally from American Samoa, Albert studied Theater at the University of Hawai’i Mānoa. He has performed onstage at Kumu Kahua, Kennedy Theater, and Hawaiian Mission Houses. He has also appeared on Hawai’i Five-0, Magnum P.I., Marvel’s Inhumans, and the films Hae Hawai’i, Haole, and other locally filmed productions. Based in Honolulu, Albert also works as a storyboard artist for film and TV.

Will Oak Wild is an Actor with a passion for the Arts. Will has appeared in many feature and short films (some of which he wrote, directed and produced) as well as T.V., where he has guest-stared on Hawaii 5-0 (with a British Accent) and National Commercials. He received his B.A. in Art Studio from UCSB, traveled extensively studying Art and Architecture. Will’s extensive professional acting training includes Milton Katselas, Larry Moss/Michelle Danner and Scott Rogers Studios. He is also a Creative Lab Hawaii fellow and member of the Hawaii Film Collective. He is a kind soul, multi-hyphenate, and waterman.

Emily Wright is local actress currently attending the University of Hawaii working towards her Masters in Acting. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Drama and English Literature from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Recent credits include Siobahn in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (MVT) and Emilie in The Moors (UHM).

Jorin Young is a recent graduate from UH Mānoa with her bachelors in Theatre. She was last seen in recent episodes of Magnum PI as an extra, early episodes of “Getting Ready for Eddie” and in Fall 2020’s production of “I’m Lot Lane” at UHM. Her last in-person theatrical role was in Au’a ‘Ia: Holding On in which she was given the amazing opportunity to travel to Nuioka (New York) to perform in an Off Broadway stage.

Mike Smola, is Curator of Public Programs at Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives. He has a B.A. in History and a Certificate in Museum Studies from Michigan State University. He has been at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives since 2008. Previously, he was part of the education staff at the Turner Dodge House in Lansing, MI and was a member of the collections and Exhibitions staff at Michigan State University Museum. He is a member of the Association of Living History Farms and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) since 2011 and served on the Board of Directors for ALHFAM from 2016-2019.

Juliette (Julie) Cooke is a nursing professional with 15 years of hospice and palliative care experience. She is a graduate of Hawai‘i Pacific University (BSN RN) and University of Maryland (BA History), with additional studies at New York University, Simmons College and Universidade Valparaiso (Chile). Ms. Cooke is active in community service, continuing the family legacy established by her parents Sam and Mary Cooke. She is a docent and Board member of the Hawaiian Mission Houses (HMHs) serving as the Cemetery and Society Relations Committee Chair. In 2017 she chaired the HMHs annual Huaka'i: A Musical Journey, honoring the life and legacy of John Papa ʻIʻī and Ke Kula Aliʻi (the Royal School). She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Mānoa Heritage Center and Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation.

As a proud missionary descendant, Caroline Bond Davis has continued the tradition of service to the people of Hawaii by working in the not for profit field in Hawaii for many years. She also has volunteered much of her time with other not profits. She also loves to sing in choirs and swell churches with praise of the Lord. She is the grateful mother of two, and proud grandmother of 6.

Reid Clayton Keonelehua Hayes lives in Pālolo with his wife Zoe and his dog Tank. He is the son of Donna Reid-Hayes and Clayton Hayes. He was born in Honolulu and is a high school science teacher at Punahou School. He has a M.Ed from Stanford University.

Donna Elizabeth Kaleiokalani Reid-Hayes is the daughter of James Lyman Reid and Althea Beatty Reid. She has 3 grown sons, Paul, Reid, and David, and lives in Honolulu with her husband, Clayton. Donna is a kindergarten teacher at Punahou School. She was born in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. Donna received an EdD in Professional Practice from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for her research around how the integration of Reggio Emilia early childhood practices and Hawaiian culture-based education have influenced her own moʻokūʻauau as an educator and a Hawaiian.

Gwendolyn Kawehionalani Isherwood was born in Hilo, Hawaii. She was raised in a sugar plantation lifestyle and is a Lyman ohana descendant. Gwen graduated from Punahou School, and University of Texas at Austin. She's married and is the proud mom of Anzu, a Kamehameha student, avid sailor and swimmer.

(Second from the right) Born and raised on Big Island, graduated Punahou, Colorado State, post grad UH. Initial career in Hawaii sugar industry, then agribusiness development, management and research both internationally and in Hawaii. Life member and Trustee of Lyman Museum, member HMCS.

"Born and raised in Kalaheo on the island of Kauaʻi, Kāʻeo cultivated his love for athletics and the outdoors before attending Kamehameha Kapālama as a boarding student beginning at the age of 12. Kāʻeo went on to set multiple state records in Cross-Country and Track & Field while accumulating numerous individual and team state titles (including one in Swimming) for the Warriors. After graduating from Kamehameha, Kāʻeo went on to attend Harvard University where he earned non-thesis Cum Laude Honors in Human Evolutionary Biology while also competing in Division 1 Cross-Country and Track & Field in which he served as Co-Captain his senior year. Kāʻeo is currently pursuing his Masterʻs degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Physiology from the University of Virginia where he continues to run and compete on UVAʻs varsity Cross-Country and Track & Field teams. Kāʻeo hopes to pursue a PhD in the near future and looks forward to seeing where his academic and athletic endeavours take him next."

Pam is a exercise physiologist by trade living and working on Kauaʻi. A former Competitive Triathlete, she consistently placed in the top three in her age group from 1997-2009 in her favorite event the Honolulu Tinman Triathlon. Her most outstanding event was the 2005 USA Triathlon World Championship where she competed on USA Triathlon Team Hawaii. Pam is currently a competitive cyclist and loves traveling abroad to experience bike tour adventures all over the world!

Barb Morgan Descended from Hiram and Sybil Bingham’s first child Sophia, I have researched to try to understand how her parents came to the decision to send her and her sister Lucy away . . . then how those young girls survived that trauma and how their lives played out. I am eternally grateful that HMH is a local archival center that provides detailed links to the past and continues to strive for more complete pictures of Hawaii’s complex past. As a docent, I believe we are much more able now to provide an overview of the Hawaiian Mission. I am grateful too to have had the opportunity to work at Punahou for a major portion of my working life and that all 3 kids and 5 grandchildren live in Hawaii. . . And to have shared nearly 50 wonderful years with my favorite Cooke descendant, Paul Morgan.

Born in Honolulu as a 6th generation descendant of the Amos & Juliette Cooke, I grew up in rural areas of the Islands including Kahuku on Oahu and McBryde Sugar company on Kauai because my father, Bud Morgan, worked in the sugar industry. After attending Kahuku School through 6th grade, my brothers and I were sent to boarding school in Kamuela on the Big Island, at that time a very rural cow town, unlike its current state. Following this, I spent a number of years on the mainland attending college, serving in the Army in Kansas & Vietnam and finally attending Architecture School at the University of Washington in Seattle. My wife Barb, a Bingham descendant, and I returned to Hawaii after our stint in Seattle in 1983, and I have been working as an architect ever since, enjoying our family of 3 children and now 5 grandchildren.

Artist and UH Art Professor Emeritus Duane Preble has exhibited paintings, photographs, sculpture and installations since the early 1960s. He taught a variety of courses including: introduction to the visual arts, art history, photography, drawing and design. In 1972 he authored and subsequently co-authored Artforms: An Introduction to the Visual Arts, used nationally and internationally as a college text. Duane has served on boards of governmental, environmental, and arts organizations and has been a consultant to art, environmental, and educational organizations.

Sarah Preble, graduated from UH in 1961 and returned to UH for a library degree in 1980. She was an art librarian at the Hawaii State Library from 1990 – 2000. She co-authored Artforms from its second edition in 1973, until it became Prebles’ Artforms by Patrick Frank in its 8th edition. An active environmentalist all of her adult life, Sarah has frequently testified at hearings at the legislature. As a renewable energy advocate, she and her husband Duane turned their home into a sustainability demonstration project.

Brailey Hirose-Hulbert graduated from Punahou in 2011 and was a 4-year varsity water polo and swimming letterwinner leading Punahou to four consecutive Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) titles... She went on to UCLA and earned dual degrees and History and Art History. She grew up in Ewa Beach worked as the school programs coordinator at Hawaiian Mission houses when PlayBuilders first began conducting story circles  for "Open Your Hearts Wide". She is a Gulick missionary descendant and is currently working in the arboriculture industry.