HISTORICAL & DOCUMENTARY DVDS/VIDEOS

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HONOLULU 100 YEARS IN THE MAKING DVD

Our Price: $23.00

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What gives a city its own distinct identity? It's unique character? It's unmistakable feel? A great city is much more than a place--it's a state of mind. Honolulu is one of the greatest cities in the world, and the celebration of its 100th birthday is a perfect occasion to look back at the life of Hawaii's capitol and reflect on the many events, people, and phenomena that have made this city what it is today. These stories are told through reminiscences and commentary by famous, and not so famous, residents of Honolulu, along with never-before-seen archival footage and little-known facts about the city, all contributing to a vibrant, entertaining, enlightening look at our beloved Honolulu. From its humble beginnings, the first Waikiki hotels, beachboys, World War II, tourism, statehood, native rights, politics, and much more. (90 minutes)
Bonus DVD Features: rare 1898 Edison films including street scenes, pa'u riders, outriggers, Waikiki Beach, street scenes, fishermen, cattle, Pearl Harbor, Native Hawaiian Guard's Bayonet Exercises, etc. (40 minutes)

HAWAII'S LAST QUEEN DVD

Our Price: $23.00

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Before Hawaii was a hot spot for honeymooners and surfers, prior to its petition by American sugar growers for annexation to the United States, the Kingdom of Hawaii was an independent monarchy. Queen Lili'uokalani was its last queen. Succeeding to the throne in 1891, Lili'uokalani's focus was to frame a new constitution that would restore power to native Hawaiians that had been diminished by the success of white American business owners. Shortly into her reign, the U.S. government effectively revoked Hawaii's favored position on the American sugar market and Lili'uokalani's kingdom faced economic collapse. Convinced the only way to survive was annexation to the United Sates, the sugar growers stirred a clash of interests among plantation owners, native Hawaiians, the U.S. government, and the Queen's cabinet. Eventually, In 1893 Lili'uokalani would lose her throne at gun point and yield her power to the U.S. government.

DVD Features: Printable materials for educators; Scene Selection; Closed Captions

THEN THERE WERE NONE DVD

Our Price: $28.00

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This compelling story of the native Hawaiian people, a race displaced and now on the verge of extinction, is brilliantly told in this award-winning film written by a former Miss hawaii and desendent of Hawaiian chiefs. Here is the history of the islands as foreigners brought disease, gained control and tried to destroy the Hawaiian culture, while profiting from its exploitation at the same time. Filled with well researched vintage photos and rare films including hula dancers, Queen Liliukalani in her final years, Hollywood movies, important historical events, and more. Excellent!

DVD features: Director's commentary, Language can be set to English or Hawaiian, all region DVD. (26 minutes)

WORDS EARTH & ALOHA DVD

Our Price: $22.00

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A documentary by Eddie and Myrna Kamae, Words, Earth & Aloha was the 1995 Hawaii International Film Festival's Silver Maile Award Winner for Best Film by a Hawai`i filmmaker. In Hawaii, music has always been much more than a form of entertainment; it has been a key to Hawaiian culture. This documentary explores the sources of a complex tradition; from early chants and the 19th century gospel influences, to the work of composers who flourished between the 1870s and the 1920s, for whom Hawaiian was still a first language. This film pays tribute to the poetry and play of their lyrics, as well as the places and features of nature which inspired songs still loved and played today. (60 minutes)

HOLO MAI PELE - THE EPIC HULA MYTH DVD

Our Price: $23.00

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Authentic kahiko (ancient style) hula performed by the dancers of the remarkable Halau O Kekuhi in lovely classic costumes, Holo Mai Pele tells the epic Hawaiian saga of the rivalry between Pele, goddess of the volcano, and her youngest and favorite sister Hi'iaka. The performance weaves together archetypal themes of creation, love, and betrayal into a sweeping dramatic performance. This rare legacy of hula chants and dances as passed down through generations in Hawai'i was originally broadcast in an exciting adaptation for "Dance In America" on PBS. Created by Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele and Nalani Kanaka'ole. (56 minutes)

Special DVD Features: 34 minute bonus interview with Kumu Hula Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele; Biographies of the Creators, Producers; Director, and Halau; Scene Selection Menus; Closed Captions; Japanese Subtitles; Website Links (DVD-Rom drives only)

HAWAIIAN COLLECTION DVD

Our Price: $35.00

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Three titles from the Polynesian Cultural Center on one DVD (79 minutes)

Hawaiian Heritage - From the authentic Hawaiian dwellings at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the customs and traditions of the Hawaiian people are portrayed by native islanders. Central of course is the hula, and we are presented with the hula's history, legends, implements, what various hula steps represent, and ancient and modern styles of hula. This entertaining video also includes ancient island games, food and poi making, and the royal ceremony of early Hawaiian luaus. Plus glimpses of the colorful pageantry and activities offered throughout the Polynesian Cultural Center. (19 minutes)

Hukilau - Here's the intriguing story of the comeback of one of Hawaii's most anciient customs. The hukilau, a revered fishing tradition since the original Hawaiians arrived, gradually faded from everyday life on the islands. But an inspiring set of events sparked its comeback in Laie in 1947 inspiring the song "Hukilau" and the "shaka"/"hang loose" hand sign. Includes vinatge film, narrative, and dance. (20 minutes)

Polynesian Odyssey - A magnificently filmed docudrama, created especially for the IMAX theatre. Breathtaking landscapes, beautiful music, and poetic narration accompany the dramatic re-enactments of Polynesian history and legends. We witness scenes from the first migrations, a Samoan village boy being trained in hunting, dancing and rituals at a Tahitian wedding ceremony, and the interruption of sacred hula at an Hawaiian tattooing ceremony by an invading war party. Filmed on location in the various Polynesian islands. Spectacular! (40 minutes)

WAYFINDERS: A PACIFIC ODYSSEY DVD

Our Price: $28.00

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"Wayfinders: A Pacific Odyssey" sweeps viewers into a seafaring adventure with a community of Polynesians, as they build traditional sailing canoes (including the Hokule'a), learn how to follow the stars across the open ocean, and embark upon a 2,000 mile voyage in the wake of their ancestors. Wayfinders focuses on the revival of wayfinding - the art of guiding a canoe across long distances using only natural signs: the sun, the moon, the stars and the ocean swells. Nainoa Thompson is the first Hawaiian in hundreds of years to master celestial navigation. By passing on these ancient skills to a new generation of wayfinders, Nainoa begins the process of recovering connections with the past and preparing for the challenges of the future. Here is the history of the Polynesian migrations using vintage artwork and writings, photos, and interviews with notable figures such as Captain Cook (Portrayed by Patrick Stewart) and Herb Kane (art historian) as well as films of the modern day voyages. (55 minutes)

CHILDREN OF THE LONG CANOE - A UNIQUE HISTORY OF HAWAII DVD

Our Price: $25.00

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Here is the mysterious Hawaii of old through the eyes of artist/historian Herb Kawainui Kane. His amazing paintings and narration, exciting live-action footage, plus authentic background music and ancient chants trace Hawaii's history from its discovery by Polynesians to the 1930s. Include's Hawaii's legends, myths, and gods; Pele; Cook's discovery of the islands and his death; warfare between chiefs, King Kamehameha, Captain Bligh's "lost journal" from the Bounty, and the voyage of the Hokule'a canoe: symbol of the Hawaiian Renaissance.

THE FIRST BATTLE: THE BATTLE FOR EQUALITY IN WAR-TIME HAWAII DVD

Our Price: $22.00

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"How we in Hawaii are going to live together after the war will depend on how we live together during the war". � Shigeo Yoshida, Council for Interracial Unity

With war fears rising, a council for interracial unity organized in Honolulu in 1939 in support of Hawaii�s large Japanese-ancestry community. On December 7, 1941, they sprang into action. Where 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry were relocated from the West Coast and interned, the behind�the�scenes battle for justice and equality � reaching as far as the White House � set Hawaii on a different course. The First Battle portrays people working together under extreme stress, against tremendous odds. It will change how viewers see Hawaii.

The First Battle premiered at the venerable Hawaii Theater on September 5, 2006 to an overflow crowd of 1,400. It is currently touring the Neighbor Islands and the West Coast, and is scheduled for its television premier broadcast on PBS Hawaii on December 7, 2006. The film is being adopted for educational purposes in Hawaii�s public schools in conjunction with the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.

HAWAIIAN HEALING DVD

Our Price: $28.00

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Hawaiian Healing explores the countless ways in which healing is woven into hawaiian culture, art, music, and daily life. With lomilomi teacher and practitioner Brenda Mohalapua Ignacio, filmmaker John Zak takes you on a journey of discovery as he talks story with practioners and healers who demonstrate that lomilomi is more than a form of hawaiian massage, it is a spirit-based approach to health and life. Includes interviews with Brenda Ignacio, Aunty Mary Fragas, Aunty Mona Kahele, and Haunani Hopkins, visits with Roland Cazimero, Emma Veary, Angela Perez Baraquio about the healing power of Hawaiian music and the true meaning of "Aloha", and a powerful opening chant and tradtional hula kahiko performed by Amber Onaga and Colsen Kanei. Original slack key guitar score by Peter Medeiros.