Video: Cirque du Soleil’s new Auana show makes spectacular debut in Honolulu [Video]

Global entertainment powerhouse Cirque du Soleil premiered ‘Auana, its first resident production in Hawai‘i, to a sold-out audience at the OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel this week (Dec 17).

A dazzling homage to Hawai‘i’s heritage and Cirque’s iconic artistry, the show combines breathtaking acrobatics, multimedia projections, and mo‘olelo (stories) inspired by the islands’ rich culture. Performances run Wednesday through Sunday at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., exclusively at the OUTRIGGER Theater.

This monumental occasion was marked by a star-studded red-carpet event, where celebrities, cultural icons, and community leaders including Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, James Beard Award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi, and Olympic gold medalist surfer Carissa Moore gathered to honor this innovative fusion of art and storytelling from the internationally renowned entertainment brand.

The evening underscored the seamless synergy between Cirque du Soleil’s creative vision and OUTRIGGER’s deep-rooted commitment to preserving and sharing the aloha spirit.

“I thought the show was brilliant, the performers were amazing, but what …