HONOLULU (HI Now) - Preserving generational history and honoring sacred land requires unwavering commitment across decades.
In the new documentary, “Protecting Kahoʻolawe: 50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina,” Hawaii News Now journalists Mark Carpenter and Corbin Gregory bring viewers along on an intimate journey through the past, present, and future of the movement.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the historic 1976 landing by the Kahoʻolawe Nine, the film documents the profound sacrifice that transformed an active military target range into a sanctuary of cultural restoration, native planting, and community healing.
Through rare archival footage and days spent on the island alongside the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, the project captures the emotional depth of caring for the ʻāina. Key leaders like Uncle Walter Ritte and Auntie Davina McGregor share firsthand accounts of cultural ceremonies, ordinance clearings, and the spiritual responsibility of stewardship.
As director Mark Carpenter explains, the ongoing protection of Kahoʻolawe represents a vital cornerstone for broader Native Hawaiian movements across the state today.
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Audiences can experience this powerful story during its world premiere at Consolidated Theatres Kahala on October 25 as part of the Hawaii International Film Festival opening weekend. Additional statewide community screenings will follow across Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island throughout November.
To explore screening schedules and learn more about the ongoing mission to protect sacred lands, visit the official Hawaii International Film Festival website at hiff.org or follow the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana on Instagram @kahoolawe.
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