Kumu Kahua Theatre Announced 2026 Playwriting Winners
The Honolulu institution awarded three playwrights for works centered on life in Hawai'i and the Pacific.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Cultural
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Kumu Kahua Theatre has revealed the winners of its 2026 Annual Playwriting Contest. The recognition, co-sponsored by the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Department of Theatre and Dance, celebrates original feature-length plays.
Why it matters
The contest is designed to amplify unique voices and share original theatrical stories focused on the cultural identity of Hawai'i and the Pacific. Winning works gain permanent recognition through preservation in the University of Hawai'i system.
Sean Joseph Choo secured the $600 Hawai'i Prize, while Cathy Midori Stonie claimed the $450 Pacific/Rim Prize. Teagan Rae Staskawicz earned the $250 Resident Prize for her work, Hawaiian Sup'pa Man.
The players
Kumu Kahua Theatre
This Honolulu-based theatre company focuses on producing plays about the people and culture of Hawai'i.
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Department of Theatre and Dance
This academic department co-sponsored the competition and hosts the winning scripts in its archival library collection.
The details
Winning scripts are now officially slated for inclusion in the Kumu Kahua Theatre Competition Plays collection housed at Hamilton Library. The theatre evaluated a range of feature-length plays submitted to the annual competition.
Timeline
The 2026 Annual Playwriting Contest winners were announced in 2026.
Submissions for the 2027 Annual Playwriting Contest are due by January 4, 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The establishment of the Kumu Kahua Theatre Competition Plays collection at Hamilton Library ensures that local dramatic works remain accessible for future scholarly study. This year's winning plays extend the existing archive, which serves as a vital repository for regional Pacific dramatic literature.
Local theatre patrons can access the winning scripts through the University of Hawai'i library system to study these new works. Aspiring playwrights can begin preparing their entries for the next competition cycle ahead of the upcoming deadline.
The takeaway
Supporting regional playwriting contests helps maintain a vibrant local arts scene and preserves unique cultural narratives. Writers looking to participate in future cycles should focus on narratives that reflect the specific social and historical nuances of the Pacific region.
What happens next
The 2027 Annual Playwriting Contest is now accepting submissions with a closing deadline of January 4, 2027.
Further reading
Discover more regional arts coverage in our Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KHON2.
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