Take a whimsical journey deep into a Hawaiian Rainforest and discover the fascinating native plants and creatures that are Hawai‘i’s natural treasures.

Join Hau‘oli the happy-face spider as he introduces us to the many forest inhabitants of Hawai‘i’s past and present. Meet Aunty Hapu‘unani, Miss O‘opu, and Pupu kani ‘oe, a rare O‘ahu tree snail, an endangered "jewel of the forest".

Also in the forest, you’ll hear the sad song of beautiful native birds such as the ‘O‘o Akialoa and the Greater Koa Finch who once soared through our valleys.

Featuring a cast of seven talented performers, Voices of the Rainforest combines song, dance, and puppetry to teach the valuable lesson of maintaining balance and harmony in nature to protect and preserve our precious rainforests.

About the Author:

Lisa Matsumoto is the author of How the B-52 Cockroach Learned to Fly, which received the 1996 Ka Palapala Po‘okela award for excellence in Children’s Books, and regional bestsellersBeyond Ohi‘a Valley: Adventures in a Hawaiian Rainforest and Wailana the Waterbug. Lisa attended the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa where she earned a B.A in Drama and Theater and an M.F.A. in Youth Theater with an emphasis in playwriting.

About the Musician:

Roslyn Catracchia is a professional composer and musical director and has two Hoku-nominated CD’s, The Wishing Tree and Stepping Stones. She has written songs for Lisa Matsumoto’s On Dragonfly Wings, The Princess and the Iso Peanut, and Once Upon One Time Trilogy, as well as for Ohi‘a Productions’ educational road shows. Roslyn has been Director of Worship and Performing Arts at First Presbyterian Church in Honolulu since 1996.