HOT History

Hawaii Opera Theatre has been delighting audiences since 1960. HOT’s first opera season opened with Madama Butterfly at the McKinley High School Auditorium. Today, HOT is known for its vibrant and creative productions. Artistic excellence continues to be the cornerstone of standards for the company. International artists, who have graced stages from the New York Met to opera houses throughout Europe and Asia, compete up to three years in advance to perform on the HOT stage along side Hawaii's best local artists.

2007

HOT stages a new contemporary production of Madama Butterfly, featuring set and costume designs by world-renown visual artist Jun Kaneko. In addition to its performances on Oahu, the company travels to Maui for the first time in decades, presenting its Madama Butterfly at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

2006

HOT Summer Season, now in its third year, showcases a star-studded cast of celebrities for its staging of The King & I, including Richard Chamberlain as the King, Jan Maxwell as Anna and Jordan Segundo as Lun Tha. Broadway producer Martin Rabbett directs.

2005

HOT Executive Director Karen Tiller makes her Hawaii Opera Theatre debut stage directing Susannah while General and Artistic Director Henry Akina stages The Flying Dutchman. It is the first time in HOT history that two in-house directors are behind the scenes directing Grand Opera for the HOT Season.

2004

HOT expands to include a Summer Season, leading with The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan. It is a huge success and plays to sold-out audiences.

2002

Renowned New York artist, Thomas Woodruff creates original oil paintings for HOT’s Bad Girl season.

2000

HOT hosts Tristan 2000 and draws international spotlight. Wagner’s grandson attends production.

1998

HOT establishes the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio.

1996

General and Artistic Director, Henry G. Akina joins HOT.

1993

HOT membership reaches 2,000 individuals. Support grows from businesses, trusts, and foundations.

1992

HOT retires the mortgage on the Kakaako property and establishes a perpetual cash reserve. HOT expands volunteer chorus, make-up crews and computerizes the HOT office.

1989

First season in which 100% of the available tickets for all performances are sold before opening night.

1987

HOT introduces supertitles.

1985

Governor Ariyoshi proclaims it Opera Year in Hawaii for HOT's 25th anniversary.

1984

Education program expands to more elementary and high school levels.

1983

Opera Highlights become part of University of Hawaii curriculum of College of Continuing Education.

1981

First school classroom-based education program.

1980

HOT becomes an independent tax-exempt corporation and launches HOT's first independent season with La Bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor and Carmen.

1960

First opera season with Madame Butterfly in McKinley High School Auditorium. For the next two decades, HOT functioned as a subdivision of the Honolulu Symphony.