HANAPEPE — The life and philosophy of Kauai’s own former Senator Spark Masayuki Matsunaga will be on stage at the Kauai Soto Zen Temple on Friday during the International Day of Peace.
Born in 1916 in Koloa, the Hanapepe man served as a U.S. senator from 1977 until his death in 1990. His legacy includes the creation of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians and The United States Institute of Peace.
In commemoration of the man, a bronze statue of him stands in the International Children’s Garden for Peace at the Storybook Theater in Hanapepe, which commissioned the upcoming one-man show about the senator.
Alton Takiyama-Chung of Vancouver, Washington has created the show and will be performing it on the island from Sept. 18 through Sept. 26.
“The show is told through Alton’s character Kenny ‘Hiro’ Hiroshi, who served in Sparky’s WWII unit,” said Mark Jeffers, of Storybook Theater.
He continued: “The 100th battalion and later knew him as he worked in the Federal Capital Building where Sparky had his office.”
The 40-minute show is entitled “Warrior Poet” and in addition to the performance, the evening program will feature a peace parade from Sparky’s statue at Storybook Theatre to the Zen Temple and other local performers and expressions of peace throughout the evening.
Donations will be accepted and the show begins at 6:30 p.m.
“The program is filled with entertaining personal stories, anecdotes, poetry and historic recollections of Sparky’s life and times,” Jeffers said.
“Warrior Poet” continues with an evening performance at the Waimea Theater on Sept. 22 at 6:30pm admission will be $15 for adults and $5 for children.
A limited seating special showing will be at the Spark M. Matsunaga International Peace Garden at Storybook Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. That will feature a meal catered by MCS Grill in Hanapepe.
Additionally, Takiyama-Chung’s historical presentation is available for 4th grade through high school students. Interested parties should contact the Storybook Theater.
