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The vision, idea, and inspiration for writing Day of Conquest began with Jeanne Mitchell, a former second grade teacher at Lana'i High and Elementary School, who sadly passed away in 2016.  At the end of every school year, Ms. Mitchell had her second grade class perform a play, based on the children's book The Boy Who Tricked the Ghosts, by Ellie Crowe, which is based on the story of Kaulula'au.

I was so inspired by this simple production done by Ms. Mitchell's second graders: even though some of them read off of a script, they were so into it!  I wasn't familiar with Kaulula'au before seeing Mrs. Mitchell's play. I wanted to learn more and find a way to tell the story as a musical.  

At first, I tried doing it on my own, basing everything off of the children's book and script that Ms. Mitchell used. I realized there was much more to the story, and do it correctly, I would need to collaborate with others who really knew the story of Kaulula'au.

Through the Lana'i Culture and Heritage Center, I began working with Simon Tajiri in 2017 on creating the show.  Through much trial and error and a lot of re-writing, along with ideas and collaboration from LAPA students, we wound up with show you are about to see.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the journey to get to this point, and thank you to all who have gone along with us!

This show wouldn't exist without her, so I would like to dedicate it to my dear friend, Jeanne Mitchell.  

Mahalo,

Matt Glickstein