Mauka to Makai

Kaipo loves his cousin Akamu, but worries when he notices him begin to slip and sell hard drugs again, after a period of sobriety. Other members of his family and community try to influence him as well but ultimately it will be Akamu's decision on how to continue to live his life.

Set against the beautiful Ko'olau mountains and along Kahalu'u's shore, this film aims to portray life on O'ahu's east side in all of its truth, no matter how rural and rugged that may be.

Casting Hawaiian actors to play characters with Hawaiian blood is a big part of what is important to us, as is making sure that we represent the historic locations we are filming in well. Life is not always a paradise for the locals of Hawai'i, but the rich community and family values that surround the culture here provide avenues to successfully navigate the hard times.

Mauka to Makai aims to highlight this strong community support system that the windward side of O'ahu provides, as well as the strength in family that is ever present in Hawaiian culture.

A grass-roots production

We are a group of Hawai'i based independent filmmakers who are interested in showcasing our home in its authentic state, not riddled in the typical tropes and stereotypes that Hollywood has a knack for portraying.

Filmmaking is tough stuff - and can get expensive real fast. We are asking for your support today so that we can see this project through to its greatest potential. Our funds will go towards production expenses like - feeding our ever growing crew, renting equipment, purchasing supplies, and permitting locations. With Mauka to Makai we feel challenged to create a caliber of film that is comparable to those you might find based out of L.A. We hope to show the world that our islands hold the talent and resources required to produce on this large scale - and feature an impactful story in the process.

Follow us on our journey to tell Akamu's story on our various social media platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/Mauka-To-Makai-Film-20...

https://www.instagram.com/maukatomakaifilm/

Meet the Crew

Writer/Director - Alika Maikau

Director - Jonah Okano

Jonah Okano and Alika Maikau met while attending the University of Hawai'i's burgeoning film program, and quickly bonded over their mutual captivation with the many idiosyncrasies inherent in the island they grew up on. Driven by a desire to represent Hawai'i through an imaginative and authentic lens, the two have developed a filmic chemistry that translates well into both their personal and professional lives.

Director of Photography - Elliana Moore

Producer - Kelsie Greene

Kelsie Greene is a recent graduate of the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Academy for Creative Media. She is interested in telling the stories about life in Hawai'i that are not always portrayed by Hollywood. Her first directorial venture, Hele Kalei, has won several awards for its cinematography, sound, and editing. Hooped, a short she directed in Shanghai, China this summer, debuted in November at the Hawai'i Film Festival. She hopes to pursue producing independent films in the future.

Assistant Producer - Charli Knight

Charli Ann Knight graduated from the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she discovered her interest in production and screenwriting. While she endeavors to create her own creative works, she takes great pride and joy in helping others to bring their creative spirits to the forefront. She's eager to seek out unique and fun projects that emphasize strong, truthful and heartfelt messages about life and personal experience.

Production Designer - Anela Ling

Anela Ling is a recent graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa in film. She has a strong passion in art and enjoys the opportunity to be creative whenever she can. She plans to one day write and direct a film of her own. As always, Anela is excited to work alongside a new crew. The experience of being on set and working together with chill people is one of her favorite things to do. Nothing brings people closer than a hard day's work on a set. She hopes people will enjoy the film and feel something strongly from it.

1st Assistant Director -Triton Oshiro

My name is Triton Oshiro. I’m 26 years old and have been in film since high school. I love film because it’s something creative that people can have fun as well as make magic and inspire people through films. I love directing, DPing and ADing. I got AD because I’ve been managing restaurants for 6+ years now and love to run how I want to run it. I’ve been GM at the age of 20 and been doing it ever since. Currently working at Gen Korean BBQ House where I get more in tuned with managing a lot of people and different departments. This has helped me become a better AD as well as the people on set I work with has taught me everything I know.

Fun fact: I started AD because my friends Michael Tanji and Jason Sikorsky asked me since I manage restaurants, they thought hey he can be a dick yea? Hah! - So I took it and tried it and it worked out for me. I have PA'd 3 times in my career of film and my friends always tease me how I did that while being an AD so fast lol. But without my friends I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Everyone on this crew is amazing, friendly, fun, easy going, but very dedicated and hard working and I’m excited to start shooting the film and support local film makers in Hawai‘i!

Keep You Float - Ohina and HIFF '17

Jonah and Alika debuted their first film as a directing duo this past year, entitled Keep You Float.  The film struck audiences with a sort of realism that isn't often seen in cinema, and allowed them to pursue their vision further in the manifestation of Mauka to Makai.

Below are a few examples of their success on the film festival circuit;

Mahalo!

From all of us on the crew of Mauka to Makai - Thank you! - We hope you consider joining us on the journey to bringing this 'love story to Kāneʻohe' to life. Aloha.