NĀ WĀHINE BUDA KIAKAHI: THE LEGACY OF HAWAIIAN BUDDHIST WOMEN

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NĀ WĀHINE BUDA KIAKAHI: THE LEGACY OF HAWAIIAN WOMEN BUDDHISTS is a documentary film about the legacy of Hawaiian women Buddhists beginning with the life of Mary Mikahala Robinson Foster, lady in waiting to Queen Liliʻuokalani. While many have visited Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu, little has been known of her work to perpetuate the practice of Buddhism, even beyond Hawaiʻi, where she is revered in India and Sri Lanka for her contributions. Narrated by Puakea Nogelmeier and featuring Nola Nāhulu, Puanani Burgess, Norma Wong and Manu Aluli Meyer who bring contemporary practice of Buddhism into Hawaiian leadership.

From local filmmaker Eleni Avendaño (AMEFIL, HIFF 2023) crafts an insightful film, spotlighting a historical view of Buddhism thought in the Native Hawaiian community and the implications of that connection in modern times through contemporary wahine practitioners via historical documents and texts to contemporary wahine who share their multi-religious journeys, and how they arrived at their personal “stew” of spirituality. Itʻs a story that embodies Hawai‘i and what makes it truly unique.