Hawaii A Voice for Sovereignty to Be Released in Hawaii

PR Log (Press Release) – Sep 03, 2009 – Othila Media Productions has announced that the documentary film "Hawaii A Voice For Sovereignty" is beginning a theatrical tour starting with special screenings at the Palace Theater in Hilo, on the Big Island Sat. Sept. 5th and Sun. Sept 6th. Following the screenings in Hilo the film will move to Waimea at the historic Waimea Theater, Kaua'i, Sept. 25th. More screenings will be announced throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the U.S., New Zealand, and Japan.

The documentary is an inspiring, and educational modern epic which takes us on a journey beginning with the takeover of Hawaii in 1893. The oral history, told by Native Hawaiians, reveals how Hawaiian culture, spirituality, and land rights continue to be threatened to this day.

Photojournalist and filmmaker Catherine Bauknight says “to be separated from their culture, land and spirituality could result in the extinction of a culture. These are extremely critical issues not only for the Hawaiians but for the entire global community as well. The Hawaiians want to get their message out to the world.”

Al Harrington, star of the hit TV series “Hawaii Five-O”, and politically active in Hawaii, says, "Hawaii A Voice For Sovereignty is “like having Queen Liliuokalani re-appearing in Washington, D.C. in 2009 with thousands of her people that signed the petitions protesting the overthrow of their monarchy and the proposed 1898 annexation”. I can hear them shouting to the U.S. Congress, "we are still here asking and hoping for justice and equality." He adds that "Hawaii A Voice For Sovereignty” allows the grassroots people of the "host culture" of Hawaii to express their need for acknowledgment and respect for their contribution in making Hawaii what it is today as well as what it can be tomorrow. Imua Hawaii Iua. We the people of the host culture are still here."

The film journeys through the changes and issues that have occurred over the last century and nearly brought the culture to extinction. It then brings us to the present day as the Kanaka Maoli are creating a cultural renaissance and working to find ways to be sustainable politically, economically, environmentally and spiritually.

Hawaiian cultural expert Clifford Nae’ole, Jimmy Medeiros, eco-conscious farmer Richard Ha, Prof. Huanani Kay-Trask, musician Willie K, Sen. Kalani English and others help unravel these complex issues facing Hawaii and the Kanaka.


"Hawaii A Voice For Sovereignty” comes at the historic time of the recent commemoration of Hawaii's 50 years of Statehood on August 21, 2009. The documentary was completed in June 2009 and privately premiered at the Capitol Bldg, in Washington. D.C. It officially launched at the 2009 Maui Film Festival and won the Audience Award for Best Hawai’i Film. The primary goal of the documentary is to share the oral history of Hawaii as told by the indigenous Hawaiians and to relate their messages to the world about the importance of taking care of each other, our land, our precious resources and environment.

For more information please visit
www.catherinebauknight.com