‘Kuleana,’ writer-director Brian Kohne’s Maui-filmed feature, is an important though imperfect arrival in island movie-making. Its debut in Hawaii theaters has earned positive responses, thanks to liberal casting of locals. Its storyline — about the tension and temperament of issues ranging from Hawaiian land rights to the military’s controversial use of Kahoolawe for bomb-testing — prioritizes island agitations for ongoing discussion.
At best, “Kuleana” — Hawaiian for cultural responsibility — should trigger conversation about the schism from Hawaii’s spiritual and cultural past. The movie, set in the 1970s, reminds me of the fertile and formative learn-as-you-go achievement of the original “Hawaii Five-0,” where you could identify friends and neighbors filmed amid places you recognized, delivered with determination and drive.
Moronai Kanekoa leads the cast as Nohea, a Hawaiian uncertain of his roots, learning cultural platitudes along with his playtime pal Kim (Sonya Balmores) in “then” and “now” kid/adult parallels. They have a relationship fraught with question marks, haunted by cultural icons.
As the film begins, Nohea is a Vietnam vet who has lost a limb and is working a hotel job on Maui; Kanekoa is convincing, charismatic. Marlene Sai as the tutu does her career-best film work, bringing regal presence to every scene she’s in. Along the way, island notables dot the landscape: Augie T as a detective and Mel Cabang as a local dude are colorful and memorable; Branscombe Richmond is hilarious in a fantasy dance moment.
Kohne’s script casts seedy real estate developer Victor (Stefan C. Schaefer) as the antagonist amid the Hawaiian community, a cliched non-native eager to benefit financially from squeezing Hawaiians off the aina for development.
Willie K contributed original music, though the score is loaded with 1970s hits by pop acts such as Procol Harum and Climax as well as locals like Genoa Keawe and Sunday Manoa. Stay for the credits to hear Willie’s splendid end-title version of “Hawaii Aloha,” refreshing and original with complex ukulele work.
The cinematography is bright in spots, though the editing is uneven, and the film drops localisms (the Massie case is mentioned, a shark depicted as an aumakua) that will be lost on a non-island viewer.
Still, it’s a remarkable mind-opening work nurtured with good intentions on a limited budget. That it made the cut in film festivals is a reflection of the ambition, vision and dedication of Kohne, who embodies kuleana. …
ALL ABOUT THE BESSES
Benjamin “Buddy” Bess, publisher of Bess Press, and his professor wife, Ann Rayson, are off to Rome, Marrakesh, Southern France and Paris for six weeks, pausing in Chicago before returning home, so he’ll miss this year’s Hawaii Book & Music Festival May 5 and 6 at the Frank Fasi Civic Grounds for the first time. Bess Press recently opened a bookstore at its Harding Avenue headquarters in Kaimuki.
While in the Windy City, the couple will visit their son, David Bess, and wife Anna, who are expecting a boy May 10. David, still a musician, has been a Chicago firefighter for two years. One of his tunes, “Work to Do” with Toots and the Maytals, should be heard on a national commercial soon. …
SINGING THE BLUES
Returning to Blue Note Hawaii: Streetlight Cadence, on Tuesday and Wednesday … Robert Cazimero, Thursday … Josh Tatofi, April 23 … Martin Nievera, July 5-7. Also, Barry Flanagan reunites with original Hapa parther Keli‘i Kaneali‘i for the first time in 17 years, April 29-30. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
