More than 60 people joined us on October 22 for a film screening of Wailua: Ke Awāwa o Nā Ali‘i – Valley of The Kings followed by a panel discussion with Nā‘ālehu Anthony, Founder of Palikū Documentary Films and Ken Tatsuguchi, Engineering Program Manager for the State Department of Transportation, Highways Division. What seemed like an unexpected partnership, turned into a beautiful relationship; this grew out of respect and a passionate heart for the culture here in Hawaiʻi. The creation of this film has provided the community with an accessible, visual, and narrative history for this part of Kaua‘i that will live on.
View the replay below of the panel discussion, where you can listen to a candid conversation that highlights the importance of Wailua and the context, objectives, and challenges in creating the film as mitigation for a highway widening project on Kaua‘i.
Mahalo to everyone who joined us on the 22nd. We hope you enjoyed the event and left feeling inspired!
Historic Hawai‘i Foundation presents a screening of:
Wailua: Ke Awāwa o Nā Ali‘i – Valley of The Kings,
a documentary created by Palikū Documentary Films and
sponsored by the Hawai‘i State Department of Transportation
Followed by a Panel Discussion with
Executive Director and Producer Nāʻālehu Anthony and Sponsor Ken Tatsuguchi
6:30 Film Screening
7:00 – 7:30 Panel Discussion
Earlier this year, Wailua: Ke Awāwa o Nā Ali‘i, Valley of The Kings received a Preservation Award for Interpretive Media as an impactful interpretation of the significance of a historic site. Written by Amy Kalili and directed by Nā‘ālehu Anthony of Palikū Documentary Films, the documentary presents the cultural importance of Wailuanuiaho‘ano, the great sacred Wailua, located on the East side of Kaua‘i, along the Wailua River.
The film was commissioned by the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation as one of several measures in response to community concerns related to transportation facilities proposed in the area. It captures the abundance of historic sites in this rich cultural landscape and the royal lineage, mo‘olelo and histories of people who lived there.
The film is enhanced by personal accounts from Kumu Hula Kehau Kekua, kūpuna Beverly Muraoka and Freckles Smith who share their connection to the area as a spiritual center; as a place rich in history and identity; and as a resource of inspiration, ingrained with the wisdom of kūpuna. Lilikala Kameeleihiwa provided historical consultation.
Wailua is not only striking in its cinematography, it also shares incredible personal connections to spirituality, history, sense of place, and identity. During the current crisis, it is important to find inspiration wherever we can; this film offers that.
We are excited for the opportunity to share this documentary with a wider audience. The virtual event will start with the film screening at 6:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion from 7:00-7:30 p.m. with Nā‘ālehu Anthony and Ken Tatsuguchi. The panelists will share their own objectives and the process in creating the film, along with highlighting the importance of Wailua.
Our esteemed Panelists:
Nāʻālehu Anthony is a Native Hawaiian from Kaʻaʻawa, O’ahu and is the founder of Palikū Documentary Films – a production company that focuses on documentaries and oral histories with a special emphasis on Hawaiʻi and its people. Anthony has a vast array of experience in the film industry and has been immersed in the Hawaiian community throughout his life. His desire to give voice to Hawaiʻi’s stories as told by Hawaiians from our perspective is the very reason Nāʻālehu pursued a career in film and television. Nāʻālehu’s other great passion is being a part of the voyaging community. As a crew member since 1996 and more recently as a captain aboard Hōkūleʻa, his voyaging experiences have shaped and defined him as a person and has been a focal point for his films. He was in charge of on board communications for the team that documented the Worldwide Voyage and sailed multiple legs of the journey.
Ken Tatsuguchi, Engineering Program Manager. Administers and directs the functions of the State Department of Transportation, Highways Division, Planning Branch in conformance with departmental policies and professional standards, which includes the supervision and management of the Planning Survey Section, Advance Planning Section and Systems Planning Section managers and the sectional work.
WHEN:
October 22, 2020
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Virtual – Enjoy from the comfort of your home
PLATFORMS:
Streamed live on HHF’s YouTube Channel and Facebook Page
COST:
Free