EDGY LEE

TV film on ‘ice’
framed debate

Lee's documentaries pushed
lawmakers to confront the issue

The Star-Bulletin recognizes 10 individuals who have changed Hawaii this year

Through her company, Filmworks Pacific, Hawaii-born Edgy Lee and partner Jeffrey R. Mueller have produced several award-winning documentaries during the last decade.

Her films traditionally focus on the state's unique history and heritage, while confronting social problems.

But it's Lee's thought-provoking pair of hour-long documentaries on Hawaii's crystal methamphetamine problem that set new standards for relevance.

"Ice: Hawaii's Crystal Meth Epidemic" aired on 11 Hawaii television stations simultaneously in 2003, a first in the state. The sequel, "Life or Meth: Hawaii's Youth," also aired simultaneously on all major network affiliates during prime time three weeks ago.

"Ice" not only helped catapult the drug problem into the public's psyche, but also pushed lawmakers to confront the issue.

Lee's other works include "Civil Liberties: Martial Law in Hawaii 1941-44," "Papakolea, Story of Hawaiian Land," "Paniolo o Hawaii -- Cowboys of the Far West," "Waikiki, In the Wake of Dreams" and "The Hawaiians: Reflecting Spirit," which premiered at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.