Produced by Kat Tracks Hawaii •Producer/Director Kat Tracy •Running time 46 min •Supported by Lanikeha Residential Community Ka’anapali •Skyline Eco-Adventures •Kat Tracks Hawaii •The Pikake Fund of Hawaii Community Foundation •County of Maui/Hawaii Tourism Authority •The Quixote Foundation
Documentary Presented by
Maui Cultural Lands, Inc.
A passionate community bonds together to save an ancient treasure on Maui and their groundbreaking process offers renewed home for Hawaii’s future.
“This film is a call to action… The face of Hawaii is rapidly changing, we can draw a lot of inspiration and motivation to guide that change by observing positive examples of collaboration – yet, it will only be the urgent implementation of ‘action’ that will ensure Hawaii’s cultural survival.”
— Kat Tracy, Producer/Director
“Having an awareness to the sensitivity of our natural and cultural resources, this is what we hope people will gain from this film. These areas need to be cared for, as they give testimony to who we are.”
— Ed Lindsey, President Maui Cultural Lands
What is it taking to keep the Hawaiian culture alive in the 21 st century? Does its survival have anything to offer the Hawaii of tomorrow?
This short documentary follows Ed Lindsey, native Hawaiian, retired educator and inspiring cultural activist on his mission to save cultural places, at a time in history where more and more loss is taking its toll on the Hawaiian culture. In a groundbreaking process to band together concerned Maui citizens, and then partner with usually indifferent developers, Lindsey organizes Maui Cultural Lands and sets to task, to save an expansive ancient agricultural site in dormant Honokowai Valley, on Maui’s Westside.
Examining the state of cultural affairs here on Maui both visually and through interviews with Mr. Lindsey, Research Biologist Art Medeiros Phd., and Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter Chair, Lucienne DeNaie- we discover little known undercurrents to the world-renowned paradise known as Maui. We meet local unsung heroes, like Rene Sylva, highly respected native Hawaiian plant specialist and kumu (teacher).
After 5 years, what has been accomplished? What has the journey produced? Who, and how have things been effected? Can this place, this process, be of any value to Hawaii’s cultural future? Can a wake up call resound wide enough to make a difference in all of Hawaii?
This film is contemporary, hard-hitting, and relevant. This enlightening documentary explores the issues that every Hawaiian carries in their hearts, and every resident and visitor of Hawaii has an obligation to recognize.
Kat Tracy, a part-native Hawaiian, has run a small video production services business on Maui since 1998. She holds a degree in Electronics Technology Engineering from California Polytechnic Institute and has worked in radio and television since 1990. Field production and off-line editing are her business’ forte. She has worked on commercial and independent productions, in a variety of support roles, for film and television both nationally and internationally. She produced TV sports programming for a World Tour Organization for 3 years. Currently her interests are in telling the stories that often get left out of bigger budgeted productions, including those having to do with her Hawaiian culture. This is her first documentary.
On being a filmmaker on Maui:
“Freelance production on an island is a ‘feast or famine’ venture—one has to love the art. There is a tough pecking order here, given the limited opportunities. The humid environment takes its toll on gear, making equipment turnover accelerated. But, when the work isn’t flowing, there’s usually surf somewhere on the island!”
Filmmaker contact
kattrackshawaii@aol.com
