"Shaka, A Story of Aloha" is a feature length documentary on the origin and meaning of the Shaka gesture. The film is due for release Summer 2023. Set on O’ahu, Hawai’i, the film explores multiple versions of how the Shaka gesture came about, how it progressed to global use, the Shaka word origin and how it has been used to share the aloha spirit.
An Untold, Unknown Story
The largely untold story on the history and meaning of the Shaka gesture is only now becoming public now as today’s elders realize that the world sorely needs this epic story more than ever. A 2022 survey by Anthology Research revealed that 91% of Hawai’i residents don't know where the Shaka came from.
Multiculturalism
The story is also a multicultural melting pot that integrates Hawaiian, Mormon, Japanese/Okinawan plantation workers, entertainers, world leaders, surfers and extreme sports enthusiasts who all played roles in introducing the gesture to the world.
Educational Use
Originally funded by Kamehameha Schools for use in Hawai’i classrooms, the film is slated to be a call to serve one’s community through positivity and sharing the aloha spirit. Additional programs that leverage the film have already been implemented while the film is in production. For example, the State of Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council commissioned a creative arts, innovation and entrepreneurship curriculum that ties to the film. A 4-month pilot was successfully completed at the Youth Services Center at Dole Cannery (see recap video: • YSC Entrepreneurship P... ).
Film Backstory
The story was first introduced to producer Steve Sue by way of Kupuna in La‘ie, Oahu who asked him to record oral history on the subject. These 80-90 year old Kupuna had never told the full story before, fearing commercialization. However, now acknowledging their own mortality, they wish the story to be preserved for future generations. Along the way, alternative Shaka origin stories and progression stories emerged turning the film into a quest-style documentary. The film is committed to presenting all versions and letting audiences decide for themselves on which origin story version they like best.
An All-Star Team
Team Shaka includes Grammy-nominated music director HENRY KAPONO, Cultural Advisor ROBERT "LONO" IKUWA, Associate Producers SEAN MORRIS, JILL KURAMOTO, RYAN KAWAILANI OZAWA, AVIAN KU, MINETTE LEW-MCCABE, Director of Photography KRISTLE BACKE, Director ALEX BOCCHIERI, Executive Producer BRYAN SPICER, and Producer/Writer STEVE SUE.
In order to keep the story pure and authentic, the film is produced by ID8, a Hawaii-based 501C3 nonprofit in association with HENRY KAPONO INC. and SIGHT & SOUND PRODUCTIONS. Key grant funders include REMEDY SPA HAWAII, KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS, SHAKA TEA, FIRST FOUNDATION BANK, CHARLES & LILLY ASATO and SAAS VENTURES. In addition, support has been provided by LA’IE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER, BYU-HAWAI’I, HAWAI’I RESERVES INC., EYS ON HAWAI’I, OUTRIGGER CANOE CLUB, ANTHOLOGY RESEARCH, HONOLULU BUS SYSTEM, LANAKILA SENIOR CENTER. Other than ID8, no entities or individuals hold any equity rights. Any net profits that might be generated from the film will be held by ID8 nonprofit for future Shaka-based education, scholarship and sharing aloha programs.
Featured Interviews
The film includes interviews of many with first-hand experience including: Joel “Baldy" Apuakehau, Todd Bradley, Cy Bridges, Renee Cabrinha, Wally Camp, David Espinda, Joyce & Charles Fasi, Mike Foley, Vince Fonoimoana, General Kenneth Hara, Karl "Kini Popo" Hebenstreit, Fred Hemmings, Robert "Lono" Ikuwa, Mona Kahawaii, Henry Kapono, Keone Kuewa, Maria Latu, Brook Lee, Vonn Logan, Kela Miller, Riley Moffat, Jon Nouchi, Vernal Pratt, Harold Pukahi, Laverne Pukahi, Dr. Willa Tanabe, Dr. George Tanabe, Rev. Ryoso Toshima, Leroy Transfield and Isaiah Walker.
The Shaka Mission
Today, more than ever, our world is in need of positivity, wisdom, and the aloha spirit. Join the Shaka Ohana and our mission of sharing Shaka values to solve the problems of today’s turbulent times. If you love Hawai’i or the Shaka, join our Ohana at:
ShakaFilm.com or ProjectShaka.com.
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INSTAGRAM: / projectshaka
FACEBOOK: / project.shaka
TWITTER: / project_shaka
TIKTOK: / projectshaka
LINKEDIN: / shaka-film-hawaii
IMDB: www.imdb.com/title/tt18815708/
2 дек 2022
