Keeping Aloha Alive on the Mainland

Well, we've been back on the mainland now for 12 days. In addition to catching up on our jobs, house work, family and friends, we've been trying to keep that palpable spirit of aloha pumping through our veins.

As Dan wrote about on this food blog, we spent our first day back visiting the Hawai`i General Store and Luau Polynesian Lounge, two Seattle venues that pass the aloha test.

While I am on a slew of mailing lists for local Hawaiian events, often life gets in the way -- or rather, I let it. Last night was the first step forward in not letting that happen as we are missing out on some local treasures. Every week there are concerts, films, luaus and craft fairs that bring people together to celebrate the islands.

So, on a humble Wednesday evening (a very sunny one at that), we set out after work to Central Cinema. Central Cinema is a movie theater that also serves food. And not just snacks. Pizzas, salads, calzones. And beer and wine. The entire front section of the theater is situated with "tablettes" -- two person sitting areas with a small table area that resembles a counter or bar.



The reason we were there? I received an email while we were on the Big Island about a night of short films featuring Hawaiian filmmakers and hula. I was determined to make it so I did not erase the email.

The night centered around young filmmaker Christen Marquez, and her work-in-progress documentary "Huku Inoa: To Weave a Name." Christen was born on Oahu, but left for the mainland at a young age along with her father and brothers. Her mother, diagnosed schizophrenic, stayed behind. Christen was given her inoa (name) by her mother, a mele (poem) that Christen could never discern. Finally, she made the decision to journey back to Oahu and find out the truth. Obstacles ensue and cultural differences float to the surface.

The night began with three hula performances by Christen herself (who proclaimed she was a filmmaker who does hula and not a hula dancer who makes films). I thought she was lovely. She began with a hapa haole hula (mostly English with some Hawaiian words sprinkled in), moved to a protest hula (protesting the overthrow of the Monarachy in 1893) and closing with a somber but beautiful hula about forbidden love.



The night then segued into a showcase of three Hawai`i-based filmmakers: one experimental, one animation and one narrative. We thought the animation ("Ipo Lei Manu") was particularly impressive. It followed the words to Queen Kapiolani's last poem to her husband, King Kalaukaua, while he was abroad. Kalakaua died on that trip and never got to read his wife's beautiful words.



Christen showed both her very first short (made when she was 17!) and then came the headliner. The film, which will be 60 minutes when completed, shows much potential. PBS Hawai`i has been giving her much support, but she still has a long way to go to fund the remainder of the production.

Christen's website has more information, including a trailer for her film and a place for people to donate.