In a world where cinema often reflects the stories we are told, the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) challenges us to rethink whose stories we are hearing. This year, the event focuses on amplifying underrepresented narratives – the myths, resilience and power of Pacific Islander women.
Among the films screened at the Consolidated Theatres in Kahala Mall was Myths and Maidens, a documentary that doesn’t just tell stories; it breathes life into them, giving voice to women whose legends have long shaped the Pacific, yet whose representation in film remains rare.
The film delves into Pacific folklore, accentuating the stories of women often overlooked in mainstream cinema. For many, the film resonates deeply.
“What I saw as a woman of color, it just made me really happy to see representation and just talking about certain issues that are tougher to talk about to a broader audience,” said Kennedy Allen, a Natural Resource Environmental Management student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. “It just made me really happy to see women of color on the screen inspiring younger girls, because I wish I had that when I was younger.”
Adrienne Wilson, a volunteer coordinator for HIFF, echoed Allen’s sentiments and emphasized how vital representation is in empowering communities.
“Representation is incredibly important; there have been probably millions of examples of hearing people say things like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know I was allowed to do that’ or ‘I didn’t know I could be capable of that,” Wilson said. “Just because somebody was a trailblazer and was able to do it first, it paved the way for more communication, discussions and just more ideas flowing.”
While Myths and Maidens focuses on amplifying the voices of Pacific Islander women, HIFF continues to offer a variety of films that appeal to a broad audience. One example is, Shaka, A Story of Aloha, a documentary delving into the history and meaning of Hawai’i’s iconic hand gesture. The film has garnered international attention, even drawing in producers from overseas.
Rebecca Teresia, associate producer of Shaka, A Story of Aloha, shared her excitement for being involved in the project.
“Coming from Finland and not knowing anything about it, I learned about it – the shaka – years ago, and then when I heard that there was a documentary that was being made out of it, I was like, I have to be part of this project,” Teresia said. “I want to bring this to Europe, I want to bring this to the world. It’s a story that I think many people need to watch just for pure education.”
It’s an example of the impact HIFF has — the chance not only to enjoy a wide array of films but to also engage with cultural narratives that offer new perspectives. Films like Myths and Maidens and Shaka, A Story of Aloha, remind audiences of the importance of storytelling in fostering understanding and celebrating diversity.
Following its opening in Honolulu, HIFF continues on the neighbor islands, with upcoming events in Kauaʻi on Nov. 1 – 2, the Big Island in Waimea from Nov. 2 – 3, Molokaʻi on Nov. 7 – 8 and concluding in Hilo on Hawai’i Island from Nov. 7-10.
For more information on the festival and its lineup, visit hiff.org.
Alani Calderon is a senior journalism student minoring in political science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She writes for Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi and Mānoa Mirror, aspiring to pursue a career in broadcast journalism with a passion for storytelling and amplifying marginalized voices.
