More than 150 people joined us on May 24, 2021 for a film screening of Hawaiian Soul followed by a panel discussion with Filmmaker ‘Āina Paikai, Producer Kaliko Maʻiʻi, Executive Producer Lāiana Kanoa-Wong; and Co-Producer Justyn Ah Chong. The discussion was moderated by Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner and HHF Board of Trustees Member Donne Dawson. The creation of this film has provided a space for George Jarrett Helm Jr’s. legacy to live on.

View the replay below of the panel discussion, where you can listen to a candid conversation that highlights the importance of Aloha ‘Āina, the legacy and artistry of a Hawaiian hero, the mana of Kaho‘olawe, and the importance of advocating for the ‘āina. 

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation presents a screening of:

Hawaiian Soul + A Panel Discussion with the filmmaker and producers

When: Monday, May 24th

Time: 5:00-6:30PM (HST)

Film showing at 5:00 p.m.; panel discussion from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: Virtual (via Zoom)

Cost: Free but registration is required

Join us for a film screening of the narrative short-film, Hawaiian Soul. Based on the true story of George Jarrett Helm Jr., the film is a tribute to the legacy of a leader and artist that used his voice to inspire a revolution of consciousness.

SYNOPSIS: Against the backdrop of the 1970s native rights movement, George Helm, a young Hawaiian activist and musician must gain the support of kūpuna (community elders) from the island of Maui to aid in the fight of protecting the precious neighboring island of Kahoʻolawe from military bombing.

Directly following the film, we will have a panel discussion with Filmmaker ‘Āina Paikai and Producer Kaliko Maʻiʻi, Executive Producer Lāiana Kanoa-Wong; and Co-Producers Justyn Ah Chong and Malia Hulleman (see bios below). The discussion will be moderated by HHF Board of Trustee Member and Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson.

This will be a special opportunity to hear from the creators and hearts behind Hawaiian Soul. The discussion will be deep and personal delving into how George Helm Jr.’s legacy has shaped their own lives, how they are passing along the message of aloha ‘āina to their own communities, and what their experience on Kaho‘olawe was like. They’ll also share their deep connection to the ‘āina and how they are using their skills, platforms, and voices to protect and preserve our Hawai‘i nei and creating a space for his story to live on for future generations.

George Helm Jr. truly encompassed a Hawaiian Soul. His music, his artistry, his respect for kūpuna, his deep connection to the ‘āina, and his advocacy to protect his home/community was something to be celebrated and honored. We are excited for the opportunity to share this film with a wider audience.

“Every song should be important to you.

Every song has a soul.

You need to tap into that spirit.

The life of the land expressed in song.

And that’s the Hawaiian Soul.”

‘Āina Paikai (Filmmaker): ʻĀina Paikai is a native Hawaiian filmmaker that aims to amplify Pacific and indigenous voices in media. A former Sundance Native Lab Fellow and ‘ŌiwiTV documentarian, Paikai is the founder of his production company Kamaʻāina Creations.  He recently wrote and acted in the award-winning short-film, Down on the Sidewalk in Waikīkī (2019), which was inspired by the life and words of Hawaiʻi poet Wayne Kaumualii Westlake.  His latest short-film, Hawaiian Soul (2020), is a drama that celebrates the music and message of George Helm Jr., the famed Hawaiian musician and activist that helped to stop the target bombing’s on the island of Kahoʻolawe.

Kaliko Maʻiʻi (Producer): Kaliko Maʻiʻi has worked over a decade as a professional Camera Assistant in the Film and Television industry on such shows as Lost, Hawai‘i 5-0 and films as Jurassic World and King Kong. Kaliko is a producer, writer and director. Kaliko is a producer of Hawaiian Soul and co-Producer of the Hawaiian Language Dubbing Project of Moana. Kaliko graduated from high school in the first class of Hawaiian Language Immersion program and he is currently working on an animated film in Hawaiian language on Kamapuaʻa, a favorite pig-God to the Hawaiian people. 

Lāiana Kanoa-Wong (Executive Producer): Lāiana is a lifelong student of Hawaiian language and culture. Lāiana was raised in the Kula Kaiapuni Hawaiian Immersion program attending Pūnana Leo o Honolulu, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Waiau and graduating from Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue. Lāiana first traveled to Kaho’olawe to participate in the Makahiki ceremony as a college student. He fell in love with the island and the mission of Aloha ‘Āina that was inspired by our Hawaiian hero George Helm. Lāiana has volunteered as a Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana (PKO) Kua since 2004.  Lāiana is married to fellow PKO Kua Cami. They are proud parents of four Aloha ‘Āina Kia’i in-training.

In a professional capacity Lāiana has worked as a Hawaiian language, history and culture Kumu since age 13. He currently serves at the Kamehameha Schools as a Hawaiian Cultural Specialist helping to implement our Hawaiian Worldview for the entire organization.

As a filmmaker this is the second project that Lāiana has been directly associated with. He co-produced the film Hae Hawai’i by award-winning director Ty Sanga. The film won the Audience Choice Award for HIFF in 2018.

Justyn Ah Chong (Co-Producer): Justyn Ah Chong is a Native Hawaiian filmmaker from Mililani, Oʻahu.  After graduating from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in 2011, Justyn worked as a cinematographer and editor at ʻŌiwi Television Network – Hawai‘i’s first Indigenous broadcast station. Most recently, his acclaimed film DOWN ON THE SIDEWALK IN WAIKĪKĪ (2019), premiered at the 2019 Maoriland Film Festival in New Zealand and shared the People’s Choice Award for Best Short Drama. The film has continued to screen at festivals around the world, including the imagineNATIVE Film Festival in Toronto, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and the 307 Film Festival in Wyoming where it was awarded Best of Fest.

Most recently, Justyn was involved in producing the George Helm narrative bio-pic, HAWAIIAN SOUL (2020), which premiered at the 2020 Hawai‘i International Film Festival and won best Made in Hawai‘i Short and an Audience Award.  He’s currently producing Kekama Amona’s narrative short, E MĀLAMA PONO WILLY BOY, and in pre-production for his second directorial narrative short, THE MAN AND THE TREE.  In addition, Justyn continues to create culturally-inspired, place-based stories on a work-for-hire basis through his production company, Olonā Media.

Malia Hulleman (Co-Producer): Malia Hulleman is a kanaka maoli artist, aloha ʻāina, story protector and currently a student at UH Mānoa. She has dedicated her life to standing up, showing up and speaking up in the pursuit of indigenous sovereignty, justice and environmental protection. Malia has spent five years in the film industry in Hawaiʻi and LA, where she has learned how to be the organizer and producer she is today.

Donne Dawson (Moderator): Donne Dawson has served as the Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner since 2001, heading the office that is the first point of contact for all film production—large and small—throughout the state.  She and her staff provide coordination for all film and photographic use of state-administered parks, beaches, highways, harbors, airports, and other state facilities. The Hawai‘i Film Office facilitates film permitting and locations support for the state’s expansive jurisdiction across the Hawaiian Islands. Dawson also manages Hawai‘i’s refundable production tax credit program and oversees the Hawai‘i Film Studio at Diamond Head.  She works as an advocate for filmmakers and the film industry and promotes Hawai‘i as a world-class filming destination. Dawson is native Hawaiian and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from California State University-Sacramento.  She is active in many community organizations including the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana and is a lifelong student of hula and ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i. She serves as a member of the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation Board of Trustees.