{"id":257,"date":"2023-01-31T18:17:28","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T18:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esustage.wpengine.com\/kansas-city\/?page_id=257"},"modified":"2026-02-23T19:14:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T19:14:47","slug":"branch-homepage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.esuus.org\/hawaii\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawaii Branch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The English-Speaking Union<\/h5>\n \n
Hawaii<\/div>\n \n

The English-Speaking Union\u2019s diverse educational programs are the hallmark of our mission. Our programs highlight the broad base audience we serve\u2014students, educators, English-language learners, new immigrants and members.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n \n

\n \n Join the ESU Hawaii Branch<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
There are no upcoming events.<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n ESU Hawaii President’s Message February 2026 <\/div>\n \n \n
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ESU Hawaii President\u2019s Message<\/b><\/p>\n

Honolulu, February 21, 2026 \u2014Sophia LaPorte, student of Linda Johnson from Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, achieved first place at the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition Hawaii Branch tournament on February 21, 2026. Ms. LaPorte will travel to New York City along with more than 50 other contestants from around the country to participate in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center\u2019s Mitzi Newhouse Theater in New York on April 27, 2026.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Bridget Ryan-Kern of Iolani School earned second place, and Danika Wong of La Pietra was awarded third place in the Hawaii Branch competition. Each student performed a Shakespearean monologue and sonnet of their choice. Competitors were judged on their understanding of their selected texts and on their ability to communicate their interpretation to the audience. Judges for the Branch Competition included Betty Burdick, Taurie Kinoshita, and Nicolas Logue. <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition <\/b>is<\/span> a performance-based education program in which high school students nationwide read, analyze, perform, and recite Shakespeare\u2019s works. Through the program, students develop communication skills and an appreciation of the power of language and literature. In the Competition\u2019s three progressive levels, students perform in their own schools, at ESU Branch community competitions, and at the National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center in New York City. Since 1983, more than 300,000 young Americans of all backgrounds have taken advantage of this opportunity to bring the timeless works of Shakespeare to life and learn to express his words with understanding, feeling, and clarity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Hawaii Branch of the English-Speaking Union has had more national winners than any other branch in the history of the competition: Connor Lawhorn (2011), Sarah Spalding (2015), Ari Dalbert (2016), and Elena Hollenbeak (2023). <\/span><\/p>\n

At the ESU National Shakespeare Competition in the world-renowned Lincoln Center Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater on April 27, each national semi-finalist will perform a monologue and sonnet before a panel of distinguished judges, their fellow contestants, and a sizeable group of spectators. Based on their performances, seven to ten students will advance to a final round. Those finalists will perform their selections before a new set of judges as they compete for the first place award, which is an all-expenses-paid scholarship to study acting and Shakespeare for three weeks in Oxford, England at the British American Drama Academy Summer Conservancy. For additional information regarding the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition, please visit this link: https:\/\/www.esuus.org\/what-we-do\/shakespeare-competition\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Founded in 1920, The English-Speaking Union<\/b> is a non-profit, non-political educational organization that employs English as a catalyst to foster global understanding and good will through educational and cultural exchange programs. The ESU carries out its work through a network of 58 Branches nationwide along with affiliates in the United Kingdom and 60 other countries. For additional information about the English-Speaking Union, please visit https:\/\/www.esuus.org\/what-we-do\/shakespeare-competition\/ For details about the ESU Hawaii Branch or to join the Branch please visit https:\/\/www.esuus.org\/hawaii\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Left to right: Danika Wong (third), Sophia LaPorte (first), Bridget Ryan-Kern (second)<\/p><\/div>\n

Top three winners in the Hawaii segment of the 2026 ESU National Shakespeare Competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

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An Appealing Sonnet<\/b><\/p>\n

To fund the ESU Hawaii Branch<\/span><\/p>\n

Is what this humble sonnet asks of you <\/span><\/p>\n

So that deposits, which we long to bank, <\/span><\/p>\n

Increase enough to let us follow through<\/span><\/p>\n

In nurturing young minds we cherish dearly. <\/span><\/p>\n

If Bard of Avon’s your fond proclivity,<\/span><\/p>\n

Help underwrite our competition yearly<\/span><\/p>\n

And more Shakespearean activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

To “ESU Hawaii” make out your check<\/span><\/p>\n

In an amount best matching with your means,<\/span><\/p>\n

And a noble difference you will make<\/span><\/p>\n

In lives of brave, performing island teens.<\/span><\/p>\n

The truth of this is ineluctable:<\/span><\/p>\n

Your gift is fully tax deductible!<\/span><\/p>\n

Checks made out to ESU Hawaii may be mailed to Mark Lawhorn, 2121 Ala Wai Blvd., Apt. 2705, Honolulu, HI 96815.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for visiting the ESU Hawaii web site. The ESU president and other executive committee members may be contacted at <\/span>esuhawaii@gmail.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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\n A Message from the Hawaii Branch President <\/div>\n \n
\n President’s Update February 2025 <\/div>\n \n
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\u2018Eleu Lukey, student of Linda Johnson at Mid-Pacific Institute, was awarded first place at the Hawaii segment of the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition held on February 22, 2025 at Luke Auditorium in the Punahou School\u2019s Wo International Center. The competition progresses through three qualifying stages.<\/p>\n