Kāhuli

Hawai‘i’s native snail species, which at once numbered greater than has all of North America combined, and play significant roles in ecosystem functioning and Hawaiian culture, face an emergent threat and are rapidly disappearing. Kāhuliis a cinéma véritédocumentary (length = 26:46) that offers a glimpse into this largely unknown and complex world through the eyes of cultural and scientific experts, each of whom guide us through what stands to be lost if Hawai‘i’s snails go extinct. This urgent story bears unprecedented biological and cultural significance and reminds us that local nature is an embodiment of Hawaiian identity and a precursor to life on these islands. More broadly, this documentary encourages reflection on our relationship with the rapidly changing natural world and shows us that even the smallest species are worth saving.

Plays in

Pacific Showcase

This series of films and conversations is a collaboration with our National Multicultural Alliance (NMCA) partner, Pacific Islanders…

Pacific Shorts

These tales from the Pacific dive deep into our relationship with land, culture, and mythology: a Samoan girl reconciles her spiritual connection to the sugar plantation her family works on, a Chamoru Master blacksmith seeks a place for his craft in the modern world, a desperate young woman takes on a mysterious job retrieving sacred stones, and scientists urgently attempt to save Hawaiian snails as they face imminent extinction.