Molokai Goes to the Movies

Photo by Jack Kiyonaga

Without a movie theater since 2008, Molokai residents rarely get to see films on the big screen. Last week, thanks to efforts by the Hawaii International Film Fest (HIFF) and the Guzeiji Soto Mission, Molokai community members had plenty of opportunities to kick back, relax and enjoy the show.

Back on Molokai for the first time in over a decade, HIFF debuted some of its award-winning films, several of which involved Molokai, for audiences at the Kaunakakai Elementary School cafeteria.

The showcase included the feature length film “Molokai Bound,” as well as short films like “Kala” by Matt Yamashita, and “The Last Cool Thing I’ve Ever Done” by Kevin D’Angelo and starring the Molokai Hunting Club. Matt Yamashita and Mikiala Pescaia served as producers on several of the films as well.

For Yamashita, who is an Emmy Award winning filmmaker, being a filmmaker from Molokai and working on the island hasn’t always been easy.

“We’ve come a really long way,” said Yamashita. “Coming home to Molokai, no one else was really doing film. I just had to follow my heart, so I came home with my film degree. Everyone thought I was crazy.”

With more support for Hawaii-based filmmakers and stories now through programs like HIFF’s Made in Hawaii contest, Yamashita believes that future Molokai generations will continue to break into the industry.

“In 10 to 15 years we’re going to have a whole new crowd of filmmakers up here telling their stories,” he said.

For Pescaia, the art of telling good stories is a crucial aspect of life on Molokai.

“I think on Molokai we like to talk story, tell stories, and laugh,” said Pescaia. “We love to tease and tell you all about it and we don’t forget.”

Photo by Jack Kiyonaga

Growing up with her grandmother, Harriet Ne, Pescaia explained that she was instilled with the power of mo’olelo at a young age. Now, Pescaia and Yamashita are fulfilling roles as both Molokai filmmakers as well as vetting film projects that are looking to shoot on Molokai.

“We wanted to take control of the narrative being told about Molokai,” she explained, “and make sure they are capturing Molokai in the most pono way.”

One such project that Pescaia and Yamashita helped guide was the award-winning film “Molokai Bound,” written and directed by Alika Tengan.

The film tells the story of a recently paroled young father, trying desperately to change himself, his relationships and his destiny.

“My mom used to tell me stories about coming to Ho’olehua for the summers to visit her tutu,” explained Tengan, who is from Kaneohe. “That’s what implanted this idea of Molokai and the journey for the character.”

Along with input from Pescaia and Yamashita, the film featured Molokai actors Kalaniua Ritte and Mokihana Paleka Jackson, as well as crew support from Chris Mangca.

While the film has been shown all over the world, Tengan was a little apprehensive waiting for the reaction from the 80 or so residents clustered in the Kaunakakai Elementary School cafeteria.

“I am nervous,” he said before the movie started. “I really hope that people here feel good about it.”

Tengan’s apprehensions were quickly resolved. The film landed very well with the Molokai crowd – with laughs and tears abundant.

There were 24 short films and nine feature films from Hawaii in HIFF this year: a record for the international festival.

“Our mission is to tell more Hawaii based stories,” explained Jana Park, industry manager for HIFF.

Although not coordinating with HIFF, the Guzeiji Soto Mission in Kaunakakai also had a film focus last weekend, screening two movies by Japanese director Hiroyuki Matsumoto.

Both of the films, “Go For Broke, Memories of Hawaii Nisei” and “Okagesama de: Hawaii Nikkei Women’s Trajectory,” focused on the experiences of Hawaii-born Japanese.