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Screen Time
Katherine Nichols
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Film features Hawaiians' renewal
OAHU filmmaker
John C. Kalani Zak's one-hour documentary will screen at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center at 2 p.m. June 17 as part of the Maui Film Festival. "Pule Wailele" focuses on Hawaiians reconnecting to their culture by returning to the land. The title means "waterfall prayer," because "everything in life begins with fresh, healing water," according to Zak. Local artist
Makana performs the music that accompanies the opening montage.
For the film, Kupuna Zak interviewed Butch Richards, a master of Laau Lapaau, the Hawaiian practice of creating natural medicine from plants, as well as Allen Alapai, Papa "K" Kepilino, Lawrence Aki, Pilipo Solatorio and Kawika Winter. Zak spent years producing and directing television shows such as "The Bold and the Beautiful" and "One Life to Live," but prefers to shoot, produce, narrate and edit on his own. "I love working with a full crew on scripted projects, but in this type of film, streamlined is the way to go," he said. "You have to be able to move quickly to create an environment of comfort for the people with whom you are talking story. It keeps you close to the essence of the project."
THE WALLACE Alexander Gerbode Foundation in San Francisco awarded $25,000 to producer/writer Steve Okino to begin production of a documentary film tentatively called "We've Come This Far By Faith." It will portray Hawaii's "small but vibrant African-American community," and is based on the research of Miles Jackson, professor emeritus at the University of Hawaii, co-producer of the film and author of "They Followed the Trade Winds." Other supporters include the Spark Matsunaga Charitable Foundation and the Hawaii Community Foundation.
DENISE Nolan Cascino, a 1977 Maryknoll graduate, is listed as co-producer of "Shrek 3," and has been involved with all of the "Shrek" projects. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Nolan, live in Kailua.
HAWAII resident and entrepreneur Mandy Horst has begun developing a television show that will highlight ancient healing practices in Hawaii and other parts of the world. The series will feature a different healing modality each week, including lomi lomi, herbs and essential oils, crystals and stones, astrology, numerology, chiropractic and hooponopono. "Each of us has his or her own sacred journey," Horst said. "Each of us strives to find our higher self, our soul's purpose, and to exercise our right to be ... whole of mind, body and spirit. This show is meant to assist us in that pursuit." Vince Keala Lucero will help Horst moderate each episode. Look for a segment about the making of this series on Don Brown's "Reel Stories" on OC16 in June.
FOLKS with Hawaii ties did quite well at the Asian Excellence Awards at UCLA on May 16. Hosted by "Lost" star Daniel Dae Kim, the ceremony honored former Hawaii girl Maggie Q as the most outstanding supporting actress in a film ("Mission Impossible 3").