Hawaii film festival showcases 50 years of Kahoʻolawe activism
The festival features a documentary on the sacred island and a premiere film by Mark Carpenter and Corbin Gregory.
By Daphne Turner ·
The Hawaii International Film Festival is screening a new documentary titled “Sacred Island: Living the Dream” as part of its current program. The film was directed by Mark Carpenter and Corbin Gregory. It serves as a centerpiece for discussions surrounding the 50-year legacy of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana movement.
Representatives from the movement, including musician Kimiʻe Miner and Kaipu Keala, discussed the organization's history with host Billy V. They detailed an ongoing project involving an eight-artist huakaʻi and an accompanying album. The festival is showing the documentary multiple times during the event.
Miner also spoke about his work on the Hōkūleʻa documentary “The Navigator.” That film served as the opening night selection for the festival. It marked its world premiere during the event.
Local musician Gramps Morgan appeared on the program to discuss his recent Grammy-nominated album, Positive Vibration. He described his musical style as a blend of country and roots reggae. Morgan performed a live set at Blue Note Hawaii on November 5.
Michelle Sugihara, the executive director of the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, joined the program to mark the group's 35th anniversary. She discussed the career trajectory of local writer Bryson Chun, who worked on “Moana 2” and “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.” Sugihara noted that short-film winners from the festival qualify for Oscar consideration.
The coalition has operated in the entertainment industry for three and a half decades. Its current leadership emphasizes the connection between local creative talent and national recognition opportunities.
