Troubled Paradise

Japanese-American filmmaker Steven Okazaki, in his first outing since his Oscar winning short Days of Waiting, tackles unrest amongst the native population on Hawaii's Big Island. Comprising only 19% of the population, native Hawaiians have watched as their island paradise has been turned into a tourist trap for vacationing Americans. Representing the lowest family median income in the state, it is estimated that 2,000 of the 210,000 native Hawaiians live out of cardboard boxes, abandoned cars, or tents on the beach. Okazaki's film, which is quite beautifully shot, goes behind the glitter to look at a paradise largely lost. Part 1, "Love of the Land," examines the efforts of a coalition which is determined to stop the development of a Japanese-funded resort on the waterfront (a site chosen without regard to any cultural significance of the land in question); interviews members from ten native Hawaiian families who have created their own village, King's Landing near Hilo Airport, rather than submit to waiting for land through the Hawaiian Homes Commission; and, on a brighter note, talks to Vietnam veteran Kia Fronda who, on the northern tip of the island, teaches children traditional values through the planting and harvesting of taro, a staple in the Hawaiian diet. Part Two, "Pele's Children," looks at the battle between proponents for a geothermal energy plant and the Pele Defense Fund that is trying to stop it (on the grounds that it insults the goddess Pele and threatens the rainforest). Although the geothermal plant issue is not made as clear as it could have been, the rest of Troubled Paradise is quite clear about the importance of native Hawaiian culture and the fact that it is rapidly disappearing. Highly recommended. (Available from: CrossCurrent Media, 346 Ninth St., Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103; (415) 863-0814; FAX (415) 863-7428.)