‘Moana Jr’ ends successful journey on Big Island

Students from five different Big Island schools have just completed their run of Disney’s “Moana Jr” musical at Hilo High School.

The production made up of public school students in grades 7 through 12 was lead by the local Performing Arts Learning Center, which only had two months to put on “Moana Jr” instead of the usual four.

Performing Arts Learning Centers serve public schools throughout the State of Hawai‘i and operate as after-school programs. Students receive credit for each successfully completed semester.

“Moana Jr” was marked by a dedication to sustainability. The cast and crew used fresh local ti leaf, recycled and up-cycled set pieces, donated plants from Garden Exchange, donated coconuts from Onomea Farm HUB and more.

The show had over 600 attendees and the Performing Arts Learning Center’s hope is to reach out to the community and grow its program and participation by public school students from grades 7 through 12 on the Big Island.