Talent On Display At Digital Showcase
Kahuku Film Club members Ocean Eale (left) and Smylyn Naluai brief the crowd on the club’s productions during the recent ‘Olelo Kahuku Kahea. Photo by Siana J. Burgess.
The North Shore “village” that makes up the small Community Media Center at Kahuku High School celebrated its digital talent, along with live, traditional performances of Polynesian culture, during the April 22 ‘Olelo Kahuku Kahea.
The digital media showcase and awards brought together the center’s users and supporters, who are spread out from Waialua to Kaaawa. A highlight was Kahuku Film Club’s screening of the students’ most recent short videos, Hokule’a: a Boy’s Journey to Hawaiian Pride and Hug a Bully. In both projects, the students conducted multiple personal interviews with key personalities.
“My wife and I were so impressed by the films that were produced through Kahuku Film Club,” said City Council Chairman Ernie Martin, pronouncing it outstanding. “Being graduates of public high schools ourselves, we took great pride and admiration in the enthusiasm and maturity of the students, and the dedication of its faculty.”
The film club also presented awards to key mentors and supporters. The Lifetime Media Teacher award went to Sunset Beach Elementary teacher Gail Pule. The Most Valuable Player award went to Alicia Esche, who runs the Kahuku.org student store and partners with the club on some projects. The Most Inspirational Interview awardee was former football coach Reggie Torres.
According to Angela Breene, who manages ‘Olelo Community Television’s media centers in Wahiawa and Kahuku, team effort is what guaranteed the successful, well-attended event. “I couldn’t have been happier to see so many new and familiar faces from our community,” Breene said. “Please keep coming back to your ‘Olelo media centers and take advantage of the resources available to all Oahu residents.”
The Kahuku center is open two evenings a week to provide projects and learning opportunities for the public on the KHS campus, Building Z. For more information on either media center, call 293-9357 or email kahuku@olelo.org.
