Kalani queypo tribe

You may know actor and writer Kalani Queypo from his recent work in television shows like "Hawaii Five-0" and "Fear of the Walking Dead." Queypo was born and raised on Oʻahu and graduated from McKinley High School.

He and his writing partner, Chadwick Johnson, were recently commissioned by two theaters on the continent — one in Los Angeles and one in Minnesota — to pen a play for children. Queypo initially turned down the opportunity but eventually accepted.

The result? A musical titled "The Mainlanders." It focuses on an 11-year-old Hawaiian boy named Kimo who returns to Hawaiʻi after his family moves away.

The play explores themes of belonging as Kimo navigates bullying at school — and his friendship with his ex-con Uncle who teaches Kimo to play music. The Conversation recently talked with Queypo about the play, which he said is close to being finalized.

This interview aired on The Conversation on July 31, 2024. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1.

Kalani Queypo

He is known for his roles as Parahunt in The New World (2005), Kotori in Slow West (2015) and Klah Jackson in Fear the Walking Dead (2017).

Career[]

Kalani made his debut in cinema in 1996 as an extra in The Juror. He also starred in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), as Angel in End of the Spear (2005), as Xocozin in Tyrannosaurus Azteca (2007) and as Dom in Jason's Big Problem (2009). He debuts on television in 2000 with the role of Hopi in Strangers with Candy. Since then he has landed several roles such as White Bird in Into the West (2005), Alex Joseph in Bones (2006), Master of Ceremonies in Mad Men (2013), as Ignacio in 10,000 Days (2014), Squanto in Saints & Strangers (2015) and Kanuha Noe in Hawaii Five-0 (2017).

Trivia[]

• He won the 2008 Action on Film Award for Short Film – Best Drama and Best Director for Ancestor Eyes
• He has worked with Raoul M
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  From Kalani Queypo to Wes Studi: Native American Representation in Hollywood

  June 16 marks the return of the perennial favorite Passport program, Jamestown, a dramatic take on life in one of America’s first colonies. Perhaps one of the most notable aspects of this show is its efforts to include diversity in its cast through the inclusion of indentured servants, slaves, and the Native American neighbors who have a tenuous treaty with the Jamestown settlers.

  The Native American character most prominently featured through the first two seasons of the show is Chacrow, played by Kalani Queypo. Born in Hawaii, Queypo is of Indigenous American, Indigenous Hawaiian and Swedish descent. An actor, dancer, writer, and producer, Queypo’s impressive resume also includes acclaimed roles on The Royal Tenenbaums, Aspen, and Saints and Strangers. Beyond his work on the big and small screens, Queypo is an avid advocate for American Indian voices in the performing arts, working closely with Native Voices at the Autry, a theater company that develops theatrical works by emerging Native Ame