PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
MALAMA INTERNATIONAL presents
ALOHA LIFE THE SECRETS OF HAWAI'I REVEALED
Produced and Directed by Brian Rusch Production Company: Malama International Brian Rusch Producer 800‐958‐7120 brian@malamainternational.com Malama International presents Aloha Life Featuring Alika Medeiros Edited by Gabriela Cabrera Director of Photography Anthony Duran Executive Producers Jason Perry and Alika Medeiros Produced and Directed by Brian Rusch www.alohalifemovie.com
www.alohalifemovie.com
PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
PRODUCTION INFORMATION ALOHA LIFE: The secrets of Hawai’i revealed. SYNOPSIS For many centuries, back toward the time of Christ, there has existed a system of personal evolution, healing, and spiritual discipline that was known throughout the Hawai'ian Islands. This system was a balanced one ‐‐ one that honors men and women as equals. The techniques that comprise this system were known by everyone, so much so that this information was never organized or formally taught. It just formed the background of what the world was. The Aloha Life has been in front of us throughout time. Ancient Hawai'ians incorporated the original teachings into their chants and the Hulahula. Today, the entire planet is experiencing a revival of the old teachings, where once again we will experience the return of the balanced systems of teaching—an Aloha Life. Many who have visited the Hawai'ian Islands have felt the power of Aloha. You can experience its strength through the eruptions of Kilauea, you can feel its energy as you swim through the crystal clear waters of the islands and the Spirit of Aloha will leave you spellbound as you watch the Hula dancers at sunset. The islands of Hawai'i exude a power that is unparalleled in its spiritual connection. The path to discovering the joy of Aloha was presented to Alika Medeiros by his Hawai'ian grandmother. Filmed on location in the islands of his native Hawai'i, Alika shares the knowledge his Hawai'ian ancestors have known for centuries: how to live a happy life, how to live a bountiful life, how to have an ALOHA LIFE! The ancient Hawai'ians have long held the key to achieving total personal power boundless love and eternal peace and now Alika shares that key with you ‐ that key is ALOHA!
www.alohalifemovie.com
PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
THE MAKING OF ALOHA LIFE
ON THE GENESIS OF THE FILM: The idea for filming Aloha Life came about after director Brian Rusch attended an Aloha Life workshop hosted by Alika Medeiros. The three day event was held in the spiritual vortex of Sedona, Arizona and during a deep meditation, Rusch visualized a partnership together that brought Medeiros’ Aloha Life concept to the world. Upon returning home to San Francisco, Rusch contacted Medeiros and visited him at his home in Woodside, California. The two instantly connected and began discussing how to present this format in a film. Brian pulled together a team of professionals that had nothing in common other than the fact they all felt moved to help bring this idea, this spirit of Aloha, to the world. ON THE ALOHA LIFE: The Aloha Life that Alika Medeiros presents in his workshops has its roots in the ancient Hawai'ian tradition of Ho’omanamana. Ho'omanamana is an esoteric wisdom native not just to Hawai'i but throughout Polynesia. The Aloha Life is made up of seven basic principles and teaches how, through applying these principles to your life, you can merge your mind, body and soul for total fulfillment. ON THE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS: The primary production was filmed on location in Hawai’i in September 2007. Cast filming was done on the islands of O'ahu and Kaua'i with additional footage being filmed on Moloka'i, Maui and Hawai'i. The filming on Kaua'i took up the bulk of the shooting schedule and included shooting in famed Waimea Canyon and along the Na Pali coastline. ON CAMERAS AND FOOTAGE: Director Brian Rusch says one of the most difficult hurdles was getting equipment from location to location. “We really wanted to shoot in locations that had a strong spiritual significance to the people of Hawai'i which meant that many of our locations were off the beaten trail—sometimes 11 miles on foot off the beaten trail. One location, Kalalau Beach, we could only reach by either hiking in or taking a boat offshore and swimming in with our equipment. Because of this, we opted for mini‐DV cameras that would be lightweight but still provide the look that we were after. In total, the filmmakers shot about 60 hours of footage and obtained another several hours of archival footage.
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PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com ON THE IMPACT OF THIS FILM: Brian Rusch, Director/Producer: “What I strived to do is to present Alika’s vision for the world on film. I really hope this film moves people to apply these principles to their lives the way that his workshops have for me. I feel very privileged to have been able to be a part of this project and to get to see the islands and people of Hawai’i through the eyes of Alika and the other people who have participated on this project. While shooting we were welcomed in a total spirit of Aloha and since we first released the film, that spirit has only increased. It is my hope that this spirit of Aloha really does resonate throughout the world.” Jason Perry, Executive Producer: “In deciding what films I produce, it really comes down to what touches me about this story or topic? Will this film engage the viewer and even motivate them to start making a change in their life? I believe that the film Brian and Alika have created does just that. Not only is the world ready for Aloha. It’s begging for it!” Alika Medeiros, Lead: “I am grateful for all of the blessings that have come to me in my life. I am blessed that my family introduced me to this Aloha Life. I am thankful that I learned that whether I am in China or Africa or New York or Hawai’i, I can live my life with Aloha. Finally, I am so grateful for this opportunity to present what I have learned with the world. It is my hope that after people see this movie, they yearn to learn more about how to have this Aloha Life—the discovery is amazing, the journey is a joy and the result is divine!”
www.alohalifemovie.com
PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
BACKGROUND INFORMATION-ALOHA LIFE THE TERM “ALOHA”: The word ALOHA means many things to many people—love, friendship, welcome, greetings, farewell. To Alika Medeiros, the word means all of this, plus to hear what is not said, to see what is not seen and to know the unknowable. In the Hawai'ian language, "Oha" means "Joyful" and "Alo" means "Sharing". Alika believes that this sharing of energy or joy is at the root of our becoming in tune with the frequency of mana or "divine power". THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA: The SPIRIT OF ALOHA is so important to the people of Hawai’i that they have incorporated it into their State Law. The law states the following: (a) "Aloha Spirit" is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, "Aloha", the following unuhi laulā loa may be used: "Akahai", meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness; "Lōkahi", meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony; "‘Olu'olu", meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness; "Ha'aha'a", meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty; "Ahonui", meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance. These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawai'i’s people. It was the working philosophy of native Hawai'ians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawai'i. "Aloha" is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation. "Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. "Aloha" is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. "Aloha" means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable. (b) In exercising their power on behalf of the people and in fulfillment of their responsibilities, obligations and service to the people, the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, executive officers of each department, the chief justice, associate justices, and judges of the appellate, circuit, and district courts may contemplate and reside with the life force and give consideration to the "Aloha Spirit". —State of Hawai'i revised statutes [§5‐7.5]
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PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
ABOUT ALIKA MEDEIROS: Alika Medeiros, better known as Alika, was born February 6, 1978 in Honolulu, Hawai’i. He was the child of a Portuguese father and a native Hawai’ian mother. When Alika was a child, his father left his family and it fell upon his mother and her extended Hawai'ian family to raise the children. Alika quickly started to act out and became a difficult teenager. In 1993, Alika was in a surfing accident that shattered his ankle. According to his recounting of the incident, the doctors predicted he might never again be able to walk. Alika fell into a state of depression but his maternal grandmother told him to have faith and that he would regain full use. She began an intensive regimen of lomilomi on him and within weeks, he started to slowly be able to regain us of his ankle. Within a year, he was fully healed. While working with Alika, his grandmother started to teach him about his ancestors and their beliefs. Alika describes at this time being told by his higher power that he should straighten out his life and make it his purpose to help others. Inspired by what his grandmother had taught him, Alika began to study massage in all forms as well as the healing power of both Eastern and Western philosophies. In the late 90s, Alika created Kilo Lani (Hawai'ian translation: “reach to Heaven”) yoga which he describes as a combination of Ashtanga and Hatha asanas (postures) with Chinese Tai Chi and ancient Hawai'ian movements. Over time, Kilo Lani has gained in popularity and is now taught at studios throughout North America. In 2005, he began teaching what he calls the “Aloha Life” to people who wanted to learn and over the years has developed this into a seminar where participants are exposed to many of the principles of Ho'omanamana in addition to Kilo Lani yoga and introduction to the “AO”, a series of massage pressure points developed by the Hawai'ians that compliment those of Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction that uses relaxation pressure points. Through his seminars, Alika has been able to bring the “Spirit of Aloha” to the everyday lives of thousands. Alika devotes as much time to learning as he does to teaching. He gives complimentary seminars for non‐profit organizations and at colleges and universities and is constantly attending events held by others to learn from their experiences. He divides his time between Woodside, California, and Honolulu, Hawai’i.
www.alohalifemovie.com
PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
CORE FILMMAKING TEAM Brian Rusch, Director/Producer Brian Rusch grew up in a small town in Colorado and moved to Hollywood when he was 20. He started his career as a fashion stylist and quickly became the Celebrity Fashion Editor for Vanidad Magazine and was responsible for getting world‐renowned photographers David LaChapelle and Dah Len to work with the magazine. Brian left Vanidad in 1997 to create FashionTeen.com. FashionTeen.com was an online portal for teenagers and included the latest fashions and exclusive celebrity content. At the height of FashionTeen.com, the site was host to more than one million visitors each month and featured exclusive content with Britney Spears, Madonna, N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys. Brian began producing films in 2003 when he formed Mega Muscle Productions. While at Mega Muscle, he has produced more than 60 fitness and workout videos. In addition to his recent work on Aloha Life, Brian has developed and produced the Massage Made Simple and Kilo Lani yoga series of DVDs. Anthony Duran, Director of Photography Anthony started his career as a photographer and videographer immediately after high school. Originally from the Los Angeles area, he set his sights down under and quickly became well‐known throughout Australia and New Zealand for his ability to capture mesmerizing beauty in everything he shot. Upon returning to Los Angeles he quickly rose to the top of his field, and is best known for bringing his unique eye and quick wit to all of his projects. He travels throughout the U.S. working primarily on independent studio films, advertising campaigns and editorial layouts for international and national print magazines. Gabriela Cabrera, Editor Gabriela has more than 15 years of experience in Hollywood’s film industry. She began her career working with Spanish language television Canal 62 and has worked on numerous commercials, music videos and films. For the last several years she has worked regularly on a variety of projects including Spanish‐language behemoth NBC Telemundo, the Emmy award‐ winning Christian Broadcasting Network KTLN‐TV, several documentaries, and the Academy Award‐winning film The Panama Deception.
www.alohalifemovie.com
PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
ALOHA LIFE Log Line The Aloha Life is not a new concept, nor is it a secret. It is an education in the old teachings, a balanced system of personal development, healing and spiritual discipline. The islands of Hawai'i hold the key for achieving total personal power, boundless love and an eternal peace—that key is an ALOHA LIFE!
ALOHA LIFE Long Synopsis Filmed on location in the Hawai'ian Islands, Aloha Life is a documentary based on the Aloha Life workshops presented by host Alika Medeiros. Alika learned of the Aloha Life from his grandmother and it has been passed from generation to generation of Hawai'ians through their ancient chants and the hula hula. The Aloha Life is not a new concept, nor is it a secret. It is an education in the old teachings, a balanced system of personal development, healing and spiritual discipline. The world’s great teachers have preached for centuries what the Hawai'ian people live through an Aloha Life. The islands of Hawai’i hold the key for achieving total personal power, boundless love and an eternal peace—that key is an ALOHA LIFE! Aloha Life—living your life with ABSOLUTE LOVE. Love for your neighbor, love for yourself—living an Aloha Life is about empowering yourself to increase your energy, spirituality and love. Inside of all of us, beyond touch or taste or sight or any of our senses, there exists are selves that make up who we really are—our fundamental self. Living our life with Aloha enables us not only to recognize our inner selves, but also to understand that although each of us is a unique individual, we are all connected through Aloha.
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PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com Presented by Directed by Produced by Editor Director of Photography Executive Producer Executive Producer Featuring: (in alphabetical order)
ALOHA LIFE FULL CREDITS
Narrated by: Production Manager: Cinematography: Additional Photography: Music by: Wardrobe Supervisor: Make‐up/Hairstylist: Location Support, Kaua’i: Location Support, O’ahu: Production Assistants:
Equipment Rental (AZ): Equipment Rental (HI): Assistant to Mr. Rusch: Stock Footage Courtesy of:
Legal Services:
Alika Medeiros Brian Rusch Brian Rusch Gabriela Cabrera Anthony Duran Jason Perry Brian Rusch Josh Beaudoin Yvan Cournoyer Zack Mancuso Joel McCoy Ashley Morin Nikai Samantha Platero P. Romero Tina Cameron Zack Mancuso Anthony Duran Matt Sanders Award Winning Music Tiffany Daly Kenny Wujek Bianca Mendoza Mariah Serine White Sarah Hallman Eryn Downes Dylan Olchin Arizona Broadcast Rental Hawai’i Media Anderson Flores Footage Firm Pond 5, Inc. Shutterstock, Inc. Mega Muscle Productions, Inc. Charles Tolbert, Esq.
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PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
With thanks to: State of Hawai'i Ilika'i Hotel Nicole Breitinger Larry & Sherry Frost Hawai'ian Airlines Coconino National Forest Village of Oak Creek, AZ Keeble & Shucat Photography Ron Anderegg Byodo‐In Temple The residents of the Kalalau Valley City and County of Honolulu, HI lululemon athletica Steve Henry Photography Art of Massage, Sedona, AZ Crystal Castle, Sedona, AZ City and County of San Francisco, CA With Special Thanks to: Warren & Ruth Ramler Hanalei Grass Shack Productions Mariah Serine Stacy Russell Lance LaMar Autumn Antal Wizard Publications, Inc. Chris Sumada Barbara and Steve King Holly Braithwaite Filmed on location in Hawai'i, California, Colorado and Arizona. www.alohalifemovie.com www.myspace.com/alohalifemovie www.alohalife.org www.malamainternational.com Copyright © MMVIII Malama International, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
www.alohalifemovie.com
PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
ALOHA LIFE PRODUCT FACT SHEET As of October 2008 ALOHA LIFE DVD Item: LA0605 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐0‐1 Price: $19.99 Based on the Aloha Life seminars taught by Alika Medeiros, ALOHA LIFE is the movie that is being honored at film festivals worldwide! Aloha Life is an introduction to the power of ALOHA and how to harness that personal power to enhance our lives. Passed down from generation to generation, the Hawai'ian people hold the key for achieving total personal power, boundless love and eternal peace—that key is ALOHA! Available from www.alohalife.org, Amazon.com and select bookstores ALOHA LIFE BOOK, HARDCOVER Item# LA1607 Price: TBD Aloha Life Book, Trade Paper Item# LA1607 Price: TBD AVAILABLE SPRING 2009! Delve deeper into the secrets of Hawai'i with the companion book to the Aloha Life movie! Aloha Life is not a new concept ‐ for generations, the Hawai'ian people have held the key for achieving total personal power, boundless love and eternal peace ‐ that key is ALOHA! Aloha Life is written by Alika Medeiros, a native Hawai'ian who has learned the ways of Aloha from his Hawai’ian family. Aloha Life introduces the ancient philosophy of ho'omanamana which is to share your mana with others, the concept of the selves and how they relate to each other, and how to apply the "cords of life" throughout all of our impersonal relationships.
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PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com ALOHA LIFE GRATITUDE JOURNAL Item# LA1608 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐7‐9 Price: $21.99 100 pp Inspiration from the islands of Hawai'i! Affirmations, blessings and plenty of Aloha. This 100 page journal is the perfect place to discover your Aloha Life through wisdom, encouragement and words of gratitude from the islands of Hawai'i. Features lined pages where one can record their own dreams, prayers, thoughts and thanks. ALOHA MEDITATION: GUIDED MEDITATIONS FOR AN ALOHA LIFE CD Item# LA2609 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐9‐5 Price: $15.00 A guided meditation set to the inspirational sounds of Hawai’i Part one is the Rainbow Sphere Meditation. This guided meditation can be done every morning to increase mana levels. Part two is the Aloha Breathing Meditation. Become one with the spirit of aloha through this series of deep breathing techniques. Part three is Ho'oponopono Meditation. The Hawai'ian process of Ho'oponopono is to make right and this guided meditation allows you to forgive your past and focus on the future.
NA OLI ALOHA CHANTS OF ALOHA CD Item# LA2611 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐8‐7 Price: $15.00 The power of Aloha will reverberate to your core with the Na Oli Aloha CD. For years, the Hawai'ians have used chants and the Hula to tell their story and to pass the knowledge of the ancient ones down. This CD features Hawai'ian chants, both ancient and modern, that convey the power of Aloha! Features Hawai'ian recording artist Reid Kapo Ku.
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PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com
OTHER PRODUCTS WITH ALIKA MEDEIROS KILO LANI YOGA FOR BEGINNERS Item# LK0105 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐5‐2 Price: $19.99 New Item! Experience the happiness and health benefits achieved through the daily practice of Kilo Lani Yoga for Beginners. Join Kilo Lani founder Alika Medeiros as he guides you through this simple to follow yoga program incorporating traditional Eastern asanas with ancient Hawai'ian movement. TOTAL WORKOUT TIME: 30 minutes KILO LANI POWER YOGA Item# LK0107 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐4‐4 Price: $19.99 New Item! Increase strength and enjoy the benefits of Kilo Lani Power Yoga! Alika Medeiros presents this advanced level instruction to his trademarked Kilo Lani yoga practice for building strength and increasing flexibility. Filmed completely on location at the spiritual vortex of Sedona, AZ, advanced Kilo Lani blends traditional forms of yoga with the ceremonial movements of Alika’s Hawai’ian ancestors. TOTAL WORKOUT TIME: 45 minutes
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PUBLICITY CONTACT: Lisa Braun Dubbels Catalyst Publicity & Promotion Group 651.343.7315 or 800.958.7120 x113 lisa@catalystpublicity.com MASSAGE MADE SIMPLE HAWAI’IAN BODYWORK FOR WOMEN Item# MMS036 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐2‐8 Price: $19.99 • Total content time: 80 minutes Massage ‐ a luxury that nearly every woman enjoys. Now every woman can enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic massage in the comfort of her own home! Alika Medeiros, creator of the Massage Made Simple series of DVDs and classes, guides you through a step‐by‐step massage program tailored specifically to meeting the needs of the female body. Utilizing ancient techniques passed through generations, Alika’s Hawai'ian bodywork for women focuses on uniting the mind, body and spirit through a relaxing program of lomilomi, shiatsu and Swedish techniques. All techniques presented with easy to follow instruction and the DVD is broken down into chapters to focus on specific areas of the body. MASSAGE MADE SIMPLE HAWAI’IAN BODYWORK FOR MEN Item# MMS034 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐1‐X Price: $19.99 • Total content time: 55 minutes Alika Medeiros guides you through this instructional DVD developed specifically to work on the male physique. Learn step‐by‐step instructions in Hawai'ian lomilomi by this internationally acclaimed teacher. Utilizing ancient techniques taught to him y his ancestors, Alika’s massage techniques focus on unifying the body, mind and spirit for total relaxation. All techniques presented in an easy to follow format that anyone can follow. Features international fitness superstar Lance LaMar! MASSAGE MADE SIMPLE MASSAGE FOR COUPLES Item# MMS035 • ISBN 0‐9821987‐3‐6 Price: $19.99 • Total content time: 80 minutes Based on the Massage for Intimacy workshops created by Alika Medeiros, Massage Made Simple: Massage for Couples provides step‐by‐step, easy to follow instructions for giving your partner a massage that will help reconnect the two of you for intimacy and health. This full body instructional video utilizes the Hawai'ian techniques of lomilomi with other basic forms of massage. It is broken into chapters for working on specific body parts.
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