DESCRIPTION:
For the violin version of Legend of Waianapanapa Caves with dance, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW9u1Gh8HZ4

Nolan Stolz's second viola sonata tells the legend of Wai'anapanapa Caves. Many years ago, Princess Popu'alaea fled from her jealous husband (the chief, King Ka'akea) and hid with her maid in the caves at Waianapanapa (near Hana, Maui). While the maid was fanning the Princess with a Kahili feather (only used by royalty), the chief saw the reflection of the feather in the water. Angered, the chief brutally murdered his wife.

The piece was commissioned by SUNY-Stony Brook and the State of New York through the Find A Composer project. It was premiered at SUNY-Stony Brook, but the video was filmed on location at Wai'anapanapa.