Abstract
John Alexander Kneubuhl was a Pacific Island playwright, writer and educator, born in American Sāmoa in 1922 as an afakasi (mixed race) child. He went on to become an influential force in Pacific Island Literature and Pacific Island Theater, an educator, as well as a successful Hollywood screenwriter during the early years of the television industry. His plays reflect not only the rich cultural tapestry of the Pacific region, but also reflect on themes of authenticity, cultural preservation, colonization, equality and the constant challenge indigenous people face in dealing with western culture. His early work in theater planted the seeds for the present day blossoming of Pacific Island and “Local” Theater, and his dramatic literature was instrumental in introducing modernism to the literature of Oceania. In his civic engagement as an educator, he helped establish the Community College of American Sāmoa and was an early and fierce advocate for bilingual/bicultural education. He also personally inspired many young people from the Pacific to pursue their dreams. The story of his life and his struggle to reconcile his bicultural background offers the opportunity for reflection and discussion of many issues and themes relevant to the humanities.
Presenters
Justina MattosAssociate Professor and Department Chair, Humanities Division / Performing Arts, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Hawaii, United States Victoria Kneubuhl
Freelance, Hawaii, United States Jacquelyn Pualani Johnson
Professor Emeritus, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Oceanic Journeys: Multicultural Approaches in the Humanities
KEYWORDS
Pacific, Playwright, Theatre, Drama, Writer, Educator, Samoa, Literature, Bicultural, Bilingual
