Indio Melendez shares his thoughts on the creative process during Aloha Boricua:

My name is Indio Melendez, on stage I play Monserratte Alvarez, who along with Chu and Queen Lilly, narrate the concert of Aloha Boricua.
I was born in New York City and raised among extended family members. Whatever borough we moved to, I had a cousin.
We moved around in the ghettos of Brooklyn, Harlem and Later Washington Heights (where I still reside).  Although I was surrounded by  beautiful people of color, I always searched for my “Boricua” brothers and sisters to partake with and share that Puerto Rican pride.
Somehow, as Boricuas, we can find a common bond that connects us as a people and make us feel like “family” even if its only because of our speech pattern.  Living in Washington Heights, where the majority of residents are Dominican, we (Puerto Ricans) certainly acknowledge each other and take the time to speak. (well, as of lately we are getting gentrified but thats another story)
found this search for family bonding, especially true while I traveled in the military for almost seven years. In every base I touched I was always in search for my  Puerto Rican brothers and sisters.  I would walk around the barracks, a ver quien escuchaba salsa; that would be the perfect reason to knock on the soldiers door and introduce myself “Baya soy Boricua, de donde tu eres”
Mon, makes reference to that search for Puerto Rican bonding and family in the piece.” There were more than 20 Puerto Rican families, celebrando la noche de San Juan, and  I’m not counting those who had no family, because they were part of our family”
My mother migrated from Fajardo, Puerto Rico in 1955.  Candida Carmona Motanez, she was seventeen years old with an 8th grade education.  In search of a better life in New York the city full of dreams, in the middle of the civil rights movement. She didnt work in the Sugar cane plantations, but she worked in the factory plantations, for over thirty years “Sunrise to Sunset” Like Flor Maria, my mother has been in New York, for over 50 years and refuses to learn English.
One of the biggest things that I have learned about this character, or maybe it was a note from the director; that is to not to be bitter or angry about how our history as Puerto Ricans unfolds. As a prideful, passionate  Nuyorican, it is so easy to get angry, guarded  and bitter about the repression we endured, but what does that accomplish? Instead divert that energy into positivity, pride and creativity. Let the truth shine in the light of the stage for all to know, our journey and perseverance.   Aloha Boricua is “edutainment” a mix of education and definitely entertaining. A story every sixth grade Puerto Rican/Latino student should know.
There were many historical facts that I learned in this process. Firstly and most obvious that there were Puerto Ricans in Hawaii, I had no clue.
I was also intrigued to find out that there was Hoola Salsa.  I bet that is fun to dance to.
One of my favorite moments of the play,  Is the “PELE” Goddess of the volcano scene.  We learn about the myths surrounding the volcanoes in Hawaii.  I enjoy it not only because, Shadia who plays Queen Lilly sings a beautiful, mesmorizing Opera . Also, the scene is a different genre of theater within the context of the play and remains relevant.  The audience travels due to the music, image projections and lighting effects.  Also, this is a little unfair, but I get to be on stage yet be an audience member for a couple of minutes and watch my colleagues sing, recite poetry and portray kings and queens of Hawaii because I have no dialogue during that scene. LOL!
Aloha Boricua did color my view of NYC.  I realize and love the fact that we are a multi cultural melting pot, it was awesome to see some of the Hawaiian-Puerto Rican community come to the show and enjoy what we have brought to life.
Aloha!
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