Approved for 12+

Kipuka: An Anti-bullying Project

"T-Shirt Theatre presents Kipuka: An Anti-Bullying Project is an anti-bullying project that addresses bullying, cyberbullying, and teen suicide prevention—written and performed by the students (aged 13-18) at T-Shirt Theatre, a performing company based in Farrington High School on Oahu, Hawaii. Their stories, which are performed live in front of over 1,200 of their peers in a packed Farrington High School auditorium, are drawn from personal life experiences and are 100% original. Their 2017-2018 performance of Kipuka takes on a variety of perspectives on bullying like cyber-bullying, self-bullying, being a bystander to bullying, confronting abusive relationships, and even taking the bully's perspective. Kipuka demonstrates how positive safe spaces and influences like family and community can help counteract the effects of bullying. Founded by George Kon and the late Walt Dulaney in 1985 at Farrington High School, T-Shirt Theatre has long been a kipuka itself for many generations of students, deep in the heart of Kalihi, Oahu. In the story, rehearsal, and performance process, the students are taught to rehearse for life—acquiring important life skills that they will be able to apply to life beyond the stage.

6
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
4
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

This documentary explores the backstory of the KIPUKA anti-bullying project. The word “kipuka” is Hawaiian for a tract of land surrounded by recent lava flows that often provides safety for animals in an otherwise inhospitable environment. For this anti-bullying project, these pockets of protected land are a metaphor for the people or places (safe havens) in everyone’s life where they go to survive when faced with a crisis like bullying.

George Kon, along with the late Walt Dulaney, founded the T-Shirt Theatre in 1985 at Farrington High School, located in the Kalihi neighborhood of Honolulu. It is the performing company behind KIPUKA. T-Shirt Theatre is made up of students who reenact their personal stories to educate and engage the audience. For the KIPUKA project, students not only act out different bullying situations but also write the scenario and direct it based on their personal experiences. George Kon explains, “KIPUKA provides a number of ways to look at bullying, such as self-bullying, self-doubt, depression [and] being a bystander in a bullying situation.”

The KIPUKA project not only helps raise awareness about the negative effects of bullying, but often changes the perspective of those who take part in the project. The performing company also becomes role models when they tour their show at other schools. Then following the show, they pair up with the students for a share-backtime—when they hear their personal bullying stories so they can provide guidance for them.

In this documentary, the directors, founder and students of the project share their insights about KIPUKA. There are also some scenes from the theatrical performance interweaved throughout it. The film provides a good perspective about KIPUKA and all the work that goes into creating the production on such a tough and relevant subject like bullying.The performing company students share their stories of how being involved in this project has changed their lives for the better. Musical Director Jonah Moananu explains, “The stories that we are able to explore and tell, the young people are speaking on it. We’re giving them the safety to imagine better.”

Because this is a film about anti-bullying, some cautionary content includes bullying situations with mild name-calling and confrontation. Due to subject matter and a scene implying two girls are romantically involved, we are awarding our Dove Seal at 12+, highlighting the documentary’s positive message about putting a stop to bullying.

The Dove Take:

This informative film provides context to an anti-bullying theatrical production created and performed by high school students.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

4
Integrity

Slapping and hitting in reenactment scenes; man shows picture of his face lacerations from a car accident.

0
Sex

None

2
Language

Mild name-calling in reenactment scenes; B-1

1
Violence

Slapping and hitting in reenactment scenes; man shows picture of his face lacerations from a car accident.

0
Drugs

None

1
Nudity

Teenage girls wear low-cut shirts and short shorts.

2
Other

One of the students identifies herself as a lesbian; two girls act out a scene implying they are romantically involved.

More Information