Visual effects dominate in the University of Hawai'i youth theater production of "Kraken-Ka, the Komodo Dragon and Other Pacific Rim Dragon Tales."

A huge, dragon-shaped mound — suitable for staging Shakespeare's "Macbeth" — fills the entire area, its long tail encircling the forestage with flights of stairs leading to the long playing area across its back. Designer Joe Dodd has also given it a cavernous open mouth with menacing stalactite teeth.

There are shadow puppets, hand puppets and character headdress masks designed by Kat Pleviak and Molly McKenna, and colorful costumes by Sandra Finney that allow the title character to lose his pattern markings and — eventually — his color.

But if you go beneath all there is to look at, the three stories that make up the performance lack cohesion and fail to advance a strong story line.

The script for "Kraken-Ka" is adapted for the stage by Kemuel DeMoville from a new children's book by Jodi Parry Belknap and Tamara Montgomery — who also directs. Designer Dodd also did the illustrations for the book, which is available for purchase and signing at each performance.

The three Pacific Rim tales that make up the show feature Indonesia's Komodo Dragon, Australia's Leafy and Weedy Sea Dragons, and the Universal Dragon in the Sky, Draco.

Savada Gilmore, who has demonstrated acting prowess in more demanding roles, is reduced to leaping about the stage in a dragon suit as Kraken-Ka, snarling and menacing lesser forest creatures.

The second playlet features cute fish swimming through long streamers of kelp and a flamenco dancer, while the last piece is given a Polynesian look. The big finale has the dragon-head cave begin to belch steam while eye-shaped crevices glow red hot with molten lava.

The show is aimed at third- to fifth-graders, who should delight in the big effects. But be aware that the youngest ones may be frightened.