HOCCI’s Sean Oketani sits down with filmmaker Hunter Naho‘oikaika to discuss her film, SEEING WITH HAWAIIAN EYES, an official selection of the 43rd Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF43) and screened in the Kānaka Maoli Legacy: New Hawaiian Docs program.
Here is the film’s synopsis:
Lehia establishes an indigenous farm with her partner Brad and father Ricky, preserving their Native Hawaiian culture. Together, they perpetuate practices through agroforestry and explore the profound impact of the Kaho‘olawe bombings. Witness their commitment to a sustainable future deeply rooted in traditions.
During this interview, Hunter and Sean talk about her film and its subject matter on preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, the documentary filmmaking process, and the current state of the emerging filmmakers based in Hawai‘i.
To keep up with Hunter and her work or learn more about the film, you can follow her on Instagram @kawailiula.designs.
Sean Oketani is a recent graduate from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Visual Film and Media Arts with a BFA in Television Writing and Production. He is passionate about writing and creating compelling media. In his free time, he enjoys taking photos, going to the beach, and consuming various forms of media. Sean is also an intern at this year’s HIFF43, as a contributing writer to the HIFILM blog.
The HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) program supports sustainable film criticism in Hawai‘i through mentorship and paid career opportunities. The mission of HOCCI is to broaden diversity in film criticism across the Pacific region and use influencer branding strategies to spark career opportunities in Hawai’i, not be hampered by oceans, state borders and distance, because geography is no longer a barrier. The 2023 HOCCI is supported by Critical Minded, a grant-making and learning initiative that supports cultural critics of color in the United States.
