Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

KITV
Photographer Rex Von Arnswaldt captures the action during
a hunt for hi'iwai on Molokai, as Gary Sprinkle observes.

‘Molokai’ treats subject
with respect, not
reverence

Molokai: At 7 tonight and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23 on KITV/ABC

---

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

There's good news and good news about Gary Sprinkle's latest "Pacific Adventures" special.

This 30-minute all-to-quick peek into life on Molokai covers the island from peaceful Halawa Valley at the east end to the wild northeast side at Mo'omomi Beach. Photography by Rex Von Arnswaldt is superb and Sprinkle's understated commentary doesn't get in the way of his subjects: Hawaiians living here attempting to rebuild their culture physically and spiritually, incorporating it into their everyday lives.

The other good news is the piece leaves the viewer wanting more.

You want to spend more time with Uncle John Dudoit, first cruising along Molokai's North Shore, then exploring on foot the remote valleys; Bill Kapuni, who makes pahu drums from coconut trees; Walter Ritte and crew rebuilding the south shore's Hawaiian fish ponds.

"Molokai" doesn't waste time proselytizing that the Hawaiian culture is superior to any other. What the show does convincingly is to remind of us how special all cultures are, can be, or once were.

Click for online
calendars and events.