[4][5] Set in 19th century Hawaii, the plot involves a Chinese merchant, Chun, and Hawaiian princess, Emmaloa, who wed and have 13 daughters.
Tradition dictates the oldest daughter must be the first to marry, but she is more interested in missionary work and no tree has yet blossomed.
[6] The large cast included Don Ameche as Chun, Monica Boyar as Emmaloa, Sylvia Syms, Richard Tone, Stanley Grover, George Lipton, Gina Viglione, John Battles, Isabelle Farrell, Diana Corto, Ed Kenney[7] and many others.
[6] A cast album of a follow-up production in Honolulu was recorded on Mahalo Records[9][10] Prior to the opening, Gloria Gabriel, who portrayed one of the daughters, appeared on an episode of To Tell The Truth as an imposter, where Don Ameche was a panelist, noting that she had not yet met Ameche.
There was a performance in New Zealand in April 1968 [11] by the Hamilton Operatic Society followed two decades later by a revival concert production in 1987 at McKinley High School Auditorium, Honolulu.