Two Nails, One Love by Lee A. Tonouchi, based on novel by Alden M. Hayashi at Kumu Kahua Theatre
Family estrangements and a little known history weave through a powerful play as Kumu Kahua Theatre presents Two Nails, One Love by Lee A. Tonouchi, based on the novel by Alden M. Hayashi. Tickets are on sale now at www.kumukahua.org for the run of the show from January 22 – February 22, 2026. Coinciding with the arrival of Two Nails, One Love on stage under the direction of Harry Wong III, Kumu Kahua will host a book club evening exploring the acclaimed novel that inspired the play, a cast and crew Talk Story night, and a Ladies Night BOGO ticket offer and pre-show social. Together with Tonouchi, Hayashi will also be appearing at timely community book events with insights into his deeply personal work.
Two Nails, One Love follows the story Ethan Taniguchi (played by Nolan Hong)—a recently single gay man living in New York City when his estranged mother (Sun Min Chun-DayonDon) from Hawaiʻi pays an unexpected visit, forcing him to confront their complicated relationship. “Anxious Ethan” (Reyn Afaga) is the Pidgin-speaking voice of self-doubt that haunts Ethan as he and his mother unravel painful family history: her incarceration during World War II and subsequent deportation to Japan as part of a little-known hostage exchange, in which the United States traded its own citizens for whiter Americans held abroad. Will Ethan finally be able to understand the woman who is his mother, and will she be able to understand him in return?
Located at 46 Merchant Street, Kumu Kahua Theatre is offering evening and matinee performances of Two Nails, One Love, with shows Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. A 2 p.m. matinee will be added on Saturday, February 7 (no matinee Sunday, February 8). Audiences will also want to mark their calendars for the following opportunities:
· January 26 at 6 p.m. — Kumu Kahua’s Book Club will explore the Two Nails, One Love novel. The event welcomes participants to enjoy light refreshments and dynamic conversations at the theatre. Limited copies of the novel may be purchased in advance at Kumu Kahua for $20, at local bookstores, or borrowed from Hawai‘i State Public Libraries.
· January 30 at 9:30 p.m.— Join the cast and crew of Two Nails, One Love for a Talk Story, held at the theatre immediately following the 7 p.m. show.
· February 6 at 5:30 p.m. — A Ladies Night pre-show social will be held at the neighboring Black Shamrock Tavern at 5:30 p.m. Celebrating the theatre’s dynamic season of female-forward plays, Ladies Night invites the community to gather over specialty drinks and deals. Those heading to the show that same evening can also take advantage of a buy one, get one ticket offer to Two Nails, One Love.
· Alden Hayashi will be out in the community with his book, joined by Lee Tonouchi! Catch them at Da Shop in Kaimuki on January 17 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. for an Author Talk and signing, or Book Talk at Native Books at Arts & Letters on January 18 from 2- 4 p.m. Alden will also be onsite at the theatre for the January 30 and February 1 shows.
To learn more or sign up for the book club, or to take advantage of the BOGO ticket offer for the February 6 show, guests are invited to connect with Kumu Kahua today at www.kumukahua.org or by contacting the theatre at (808) 536-4441. Audiences for the February 6 show may simply reference “LADIES” at the box office or as an online check-out code to secure their buy one, get one deal.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3448363-0
Exhibitor: https://go.evvnt.com/3448363-2
