REEL WĀHINE OF HAWAI’I: PĀKĒ SALMON

Drawing from her rich Hawaiian heritage, Chaunnel “Pākē” Salmon stands as a beacon of inspiration, artistry, and resilience. Born amidst the rhythmic waves of Nanakuli & Mākaha on O'ahu's Waianae coast, Pākē grew under the tutelage of Hawaiian surfing legends like Buffalo Keaulana and Rell Sunn. Her films and multimedia projects, displayed from Hawaiʻi to New Zealand, meld the tales of these icons with the profound beauty of nature, presenting Hawaiian stories to a global audience. Pākē is not only an award-winning filmmaker and entrepreneur but also a passionate mentor, instilling in Waianae's young the significance of the ocean, its resources, and the sacred ties that maintain the world's ecological balance. Pākē masterfully bridges the past with the present, transforming the legacy of abandonment into one of abundance, driven by the core Hawaiian values of Aloha ʻĀina. With every frame she captures, Pākē Salmon redefines visual storytelling, illuminating the vibrant histories and possibilities of the vast Moananuiakea.