The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Kamakakoʻi are launching Paʻa Ke Aupuni, a concise but factual video history of Hawaiʻi as seen through a Hawaiian perspective. The premiere will be held on July 31, 2015 at Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art.
Paʻa Ke Aupuni: The Reel History of Hawaiʻi tells the story of the political history of the Hawaiian people from traditional times to the purported annexation of Hawaiʻi by Congress in the 19th Century.
“This is the history that many people, Hawaiians and Non-Hawaiians alike were not taught in schools,” said Kamanaʻopono Crabbe, Ka Pouhana, Chief Executive Officer of OHA. “Paʻa Ke Aupuni fills a gap in our education.”
“We hope those who may not know much about Hawaiian history will see Paʻa Ke Aupuni and walk away from the experience with an increased appreciation of why Native Hawaiians remain passionate about addressing historical injustices – even 122 years later,” said Dr. Kēhaunani Abad, Executive Producer and Writer of the film. “For those who know our history well, we hope Paʻa Ke Aupuni will be a useful tool they can use to share our history with others.”
The release date of the film is significant in that July 31 is recognized as the national holiday Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea – Sovereignty Restoration Day, which marked that restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the British Government following a monthslong takeover by a British warship commander.
The public is invited to attend any of the 18 free, public screenings that are being hosted by OHA statewide. A list of screenings is available at www.kamakakoi.com/paa.
People can also request a copy of the film or download a copy from www.kamakakoi.com/paa. Free downloads will be available starting on August 3rd.
