April 18, 2024 (The Maui News, April 19, 2024)
By: Alma Tassi
REALTOR® means a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Do you know a REALTORS® Association of Maui member who should be recognized for their contributions to the community? If so, send your story idea to Alma Tassi at abtassi@gmail.com.
In September 1974, Linda Takita started a small, afterschool drama program through the County of Maui Parks Department. After growing into a nonprofit called Maui Youth Theater, the organization was renamed Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) in 1990. Over the past 50 years, MAPA has served more than one million people spanning multiple generations.
A key part of the thriving Wailuku arts scene, MAPA creates performing arts productions and offers classes and camps from keiki to kupuna. Two RAM members, Marion Haller and Kristina Shugars, both sit on the board at MAPA and have made significant contributions to the growth of the nonprofit and arts community.
In 2013, Haller auditioned for MAPA’s production of Les Miserables and was cast. The show ran for two weeks at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and Haller recalls wondering out loud to the executive director how the arts organization could financially survive. After the play’s run, she was approached to be on the board.
She says, “When you participate in a production like that, you build relationships and get close with people. It creates another little community. I always felt that joy was so worth spreading in that world.”
Kristina Shugars was introduced to MAPA by fellow board member Lisa Mosbarger. For 10 years the two worked together on the Haiku Ho’olaulea & Flower Festival’s silent auction. “One day, Lisa asked me to help with one of MAPA’s Garden Party events. Once I met everyone, I fell in love with the community. They asked me to join the board, so I did.”
Both women have done everything from fundraising and event planning to building sets and producing. MAPA’s Executive Director Carolyn Wright says, “Kristina and Marion play such a vital role in our month-to-month operations and in our long-term strategic vision. They’re both active members of multiple committees, and they’re always the first to volunteer to organize events, usher for shows, paint sets, and even help with tedious administrative tasks—whatever we need them for, they’re there!”
Marion Haller (left) and Kristina Shugars (right) in MAPA’s Living Room.
With their help, the organization is returning to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center with Man of la Mancha this summer, its first production since COVID. MAPA’s commitment to youth education continues to bring live, professional theatre directly into preschools and elementary schools all over the island. A production of High Schoo Musical Jr. will also be performed in MAPA’s Living Room from April 26th through May 4th.
Finally, after 50 years, the dream of a permanent facility for performing arts will soon be a reality. The Naylor Family Theatre, a new 185-seat black box theatre in Wailuku is in the works. Haller says, “It’s really exciting. Transforming this 100-year-old building has all sorts of challenges. But we’re blessed to have it!”
If you’d like to learn more about MAPA, visit mauiacademy.org.