Nā Koa Magazine Spring 2021

SPRING 2021

nā koa

hezekiah kapua’ala Rebel with a cause

Page 4

Kapuaʻala’s Videography Essentials

Canon EOS 90D DSLR with extra battery life, perfect for all-day use DJI Mavic Pro drone for an eagle-eye perspective

DJI Mavic Pro Controller 75-300mm lens for capturing sports 18-135mm lens for any situation

iPhone for on-the-go

nā koa

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SPRING 2021..................................................................................................... from the editors .....................

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ON THE COVER Hezekiah Kapua’ala

This Maui teen won’t let anything stop him from filming.

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Maui Made

Four local teens describe the media paths they’ve taken.

14 How-tos

Learn about posing & photography!

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Maui Master: Branscombe Richmond This local media master talks about his efforts to bring filming to Maui.

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Mana Wahine

That’s a wrap!

As our turn as the publishers of Nā Koa nears its end, we thought, “What better way to close this volume than to feature media?” Media has been the quick fix to a lot of COVID-19 cancellations this past year, and we felt that exploring the inner workings of the brilliant minds behind the scenes was fitting.

We learned a lot from our first two issues, including the importance of making connections and working as a team, so this time around, we teamed up with Maui High’s journalism club and their Saber Scribes staff to create a fuller magazine with even more diverse coverage.

Maui High Journalism adviser Ms. Stacy Woodson and her staff members Alexis Joy Viloria, Faith Christy Soliven, Samantha Joyce Della, Marigold Baldonado, and Cailyn Omuro joined us to cover the upcoming generation of keiki in media as well as reach talented Maui filmmakers who are already making a

mark in the industry.

This issue includes everything from photography, to filmmaking, to journalism and social media. Whether it’s a closer look at what it’s like on set or finding the perfect locations for photos, it’s in here.

Media is always evolving, and it feels as if we’ve only scratched the surface of it.

As media students ourselves, we hope to encourage the same passion that we have for media on Maui.

Producing this magazine has been a fascinating journey, one that was both long and short, and filled with pitfalls, not the least of which were the challenges of COVID-19, but as we stand on the cusp of our graduation and look at that journey, going from putting a spotlight on the environment, to focusing on Maui’s music scene, and finally to showcasing local media makers, we agree that we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Two young women who are making it in the media industry.

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Hollywood and humble

A Maui High graduate makes his way to Hollywood.

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Maui Waena’s mini media masters They are only in middle school, but already on a path to success.

Staff Marigold Baldonado • Kyani Bateman • Samantha Joyce Della • Dyllyn Kahalehau • Chasey Koomoa-Sidney • Cailyn Omuro • Faith Christy Soliven • Alexis Joy Viloria

..................... about the editors ..............................................................................

Savannah Rose Dagupion, 17, is a senior at Kamehameha Schools Maui. She was born and raised on Maui and has a passion for journalism. Her innovative, creative nature allows her to express herself through singing, playing instruments, drawing awardwinning mandala, or planting succulents. She wants to major in journalism and become a journalist for a renowned magazine or news company.

Max Bielawski, 18, is a senior at Kamehameha Schools Maui. He was raised on Maui and has a passion for environmental justice, politics and journalism. His dream for a better future drives him throughout his life. He enjoys music, gardening, traveling, history and playing the French horn. He is planning to major in political science and to become a voice of political change.

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Rebel with a

.......... cause.........

By Savannah Rose Dagupion

Hezekiah Kapua’ala shares what it’s like to have a passion that keeps him motivated to work on videography 24/7.

Whether it’s standing out in the rain, running on the sidelines of the football field or hauling heavy equipment, Hezekiah Kapuaʻala says he’ll do just about anything to get the perfect shot.

Hezekiah “Heze” Kapuaʻala is a high school senior who has a passion for videography and creative media.

Largely self-taught, he is enrolled in the media arts endorsement at Kamehameha Schools Maui in Pukalani. His classes, Intro to Digital Arts and Design and Digital Video Production, have opened up opportunities for him to apply his skills.

In these classes, students create public service announcements, event recaps, tutorial videos and other info-tainment, like the What’s Up Warriors broadcast—an hour-long production that is enjoyed by the entire high school at the end of each semester.

“We actually weren’t going to have the senior broadcast this year, but I didn’t want that to happen, so I’ve taken it upon myself to make the entire broadcast. It’s going to be the full hour and something different than all the broadcasts in the past 20 years,” he said.

During the pandemic, the media students have also made videos for traditional events that couldn’t be held due to COVID-19.

Currently Kapuaʻala is working on filming and editing the virtual ‘Aha Mele song contest, helping the Hawaiian Ensemble club make a music video for the

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song Beauty of Mauna Kea and working on a personal passion project called The Papa ‘Iliahi Documentary, which will be an hour-long film about the class of 2021.

His goal is to capture their high school life and screen the movie at their 10-year reunion.

Since his freshman year, he’s made more than 80 videos, and he’s trying to pace himself so that the senior recap video broadcast is his 100th.

The projects that Kapuaʻala does now completely differ from the ones he did at first.

Kapuaʻala recalls being in the sixth grade and finding his passion on the internet.

“I always watched YouTube videos and imagined myself making my own content,” he said.

Channels such as Dude Perfect and SkyDoesMinecraft inspired Kapuaʻala to start his middle school channel,

KiahDoseGaming1. Using an old laptop, he figured out how to record his screen while playing games and use the webcam to record his face, which is how he’d produce his YouTube videos. He also found an old camcorder and tripod his parents had, which started his interest in videography.

The following year in his middle school technology class, he learned that there was more to life than gaming videos. “[Media teacher] Mr. [Rob] Siarot really taught me the basics of film, which I am grateful for. After that, it really sparked something in me. I thought, ‘Maybe this is something for me.’

Not so much the gaming content but more of making videos in real life,” he said.

In the 8th grade, Kapuaʻala was able to buy his first official camera, the GoPro Hero Session. He took his camera everywhere and quickly became the kid

who was always filming.

Nothing was out of bounds.

Trickshot videos, events or just recess with friends were captured through his lens.

From there, he taught himself how to use editing programs to add unique effects and transitions, and this is what made his videos stand out. He would compile weeks’ worth of edits into longer videos and screen them for his entire class once a semester.

“I was kind of making my own What’s Up Warriors broadcast before I even knew what What’s Up Warriors was,” he said.

Taking his passion and equipment into high school, Kapuaʻala’s portfolio just continued to grow. He would attend sporting events and school assemblies to capture action shots. During the dead moments, he’d work up the crowd and get them to do the wave or shout at the camera. If anything was happening

Kapua’ala is never afraid to stand out. Here, he shows class spirit at a school assembly in 2019. He always finds a way bring up the energy when he’s with his favorite supporters, his classmates.

anywhere, Heze was there, and people started to notice.

Students presumed he was working on a school assignment, but school administrators began to wonder about this guy who was always out of his seat and standing in areas where he shouldn’t be. His antics were sometimes disruptive, or they delayed the program as the crowds he created needed to be settled back down before the program could move on.

“When I was a freshman, Mr. [Jay] Paa, [the high school media arts teacher,] was actually getting complaints about a student running around getting in the way of events—you know me, I just get in the action—and Mr. Paa was, like, ‘Wait, that’s not my student.’ I bet, in Mr. Paa’s mind, he was thinking, ‘Who the heck is this kid? I don’t know him,’” Kapuaʻala laughed.

Unable to take media classes as an underclassman, Heze mainly filmed as a hobby during lunch, before class and after he’d finish his classwork.

“My math teacher Mr. [Kaholo] Rickard noticed my passion and potential, and he would actually give me ideas and be willing to jump in a few videos as well, which was cool.

I would always go to his class during lunchtime to film trick shots and video illusions,” he said.

Officially a math teacher, Mr. Rickard also has an extensive background in audio engineering, which was useful in working with a student like Kapua’ala.

Photo used courtesy of Hezekiah Kapua’ala

Kapua’ala takes his own athletics photo in his goalkeeper uniform.

He says that this will be the only time he will get to wear the pink gloves he reserved for senior year soccer because his final season was canceled by pandemic rules.

“I had no doubt at the time that Hezekiah was going to be an outstanding videographer.”

“When Hezekiah was a freshman, he would come into my classroom and would be itching to do three things: math, of course, show me the videos he had just made and wanting to record other videos. … I had no doubt at the time that Hezekiah was going to be an outstanding videographer. ... To see his growth from what he was— as amazing as he was as a freshman—and then to have him now doing the level of work he’s doing as a senior is just remarkable, and I’m super proud of him for that,” Mr. Rickard said.

He couldn’t stand by and

-Kaholo Rickard watch Heze’s talent stagnate there.

“When it came around to signing up for classes the next year, Mr. Rickard got me excited to take DVP and IDAD, but that was when he realized that it wasn’t available to incoming sophomores,” Kapua’ala said.

Rickard introduced him to Paa, and convinced by a demo reel of all Heze’s work, Paa made an exception and accepted him in the program, starting Kapua’ala in the media arts endorsement one year early.

As a sophomore, Kapuaʻala was the youngest

person to join DVP I. The next year, he moved on to DVP II, which is a class meant for seniors.

Mr. Paa quickly became a mentor for him.

“He helped me tell a story through my videos. My specialties at the time were editing and filming. My storytelling was weak. ...

When it comes to editing, filming and getting dynamic shots, I would say I am self-taught, but Mr. Paa gave me direction and critiques about how I can be better,” he said. “It’s kind of indescribable. He didn’t just teach me tips and tricks.

He’s guided me through everything.”

Kapuaʻala recognizes that Mr. Siarot opened up a new world to him. Mr. Rickard put him on the right path and Mr. Paa helped him improve.

“He is just going above and beyond anyone I’ve ever known doing video production—and not just doing video production but also being a sponge for everything,” Mr. Paa said.

Over the past four years, Heze and Mr. Paa have gained a unique bond, learning from each other’s expertise.

“When I realized that I had a special relationship with him was when he called me out on certain things. ...

He teaches me about this generation, and I teach him about all the old-school styles of doing things. ...

It’s neat that he’s come so far from when I first saw him running around his freshman year, to right now (Kapua’ala cont. on page 8)

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Kapua’ala films a What’s Up Warriors segment with his classmate, Joseph “Palaile” Knochel.

(Kapua’ala cont. from page 7)

being one of the best—if not the best—to come through Nā Koa Media.”

Kapua’ala’s parents were also associated with media. His mother, Trisha Kapua’ala, used to be a photographer, and his father, Vernon Kapua’ala, used to be a music audio engineer and composer.

His father worked with Sly Dog and was in two bands; one was Backyahd. He also worked with Maui singer Anuhea.

Kapuaʻala’s family is big on soccer, which he somehow managed to connect to his passion for film.

“I’ve been playing soccer for around 11 years. …

I’ve helped my dad coach teams and referee in middle school, and that’s actually how I made money to buy my first camera,” he said.

With his parents being soccer league directors and CEOs of a few soccer

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programs, it is no surprise that his first videography gig was soccer-related.

He made recap videos of the U. S. Club Soccer Player Development Program for his parents.

His infamous nickname “Heze” even came from playing high school soccer. His coach, Jayson Nakasone, said Heze rolls off the tongue better than Hezekiah and Kiah.

Teammates started calling him Heze, and it eventually made its way around the school. He plans to make it a part of the name for his freelance business one day.

“I wanna learn everything I can and become the best videographer and filmmaker in the world, where everyone knows the name Heze,” he said.

He’s off to a good start, winning multiple local and national awards during his high school career: Best in Category, Best Editing, and Best Visual Effects in Kamehameha Hawaiʻi’s 365

ʻOloaʻa Film Festival 2019; the Crazy 8’s category and second place in the Action Sports Editing category for the Student Network Television competition; and the 808 No Vape video contest.

Kapuaʻala has accolades in soccer as well. In his sophomore year he was named to the second team of the Maui Interscholastic League All Stars in his position as a goalkeeper.

As for the future, Kapuaʻala doesn’t plan on playing collegiate soccer, yet he hopes to continue his refereeing career. Currently he works as a higher referee.

“I use all my referee money to finance all my video stuff. I average about $30 a game, and there are about five games per day,” he said.

Next year, Kapuaʻala will continue his life as a Warrior by attending the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and majoring in creative media.

“They have a wide variety of classes that deal with aspects of Hollywood that I want to get into. I want to get my masters, be a director, and do Hollywood kine stuff,” he said.

In five years, he sees himself in his own freelance videography business.

Kapuaʻala’s life is experienced through the lens of his camera, which has helped him come out of his shell. Surprisingly he says, “I’m actually really shy,” but something about videography just pushes him to forget about it.

“My parents always used to say ‘make sure you drop the camera and actually be in the moment,’ but I think they now realize that I am in the moment. That’s honestly how I experience things.

When it comes to video, I am in the moment getting hype, and because I have the camera, we can look back at it. I always think less about now and more of the future, like, ‘What good could this do?’” he said.

Kapuaʻala walks the line between being a dutiful student and doing what it takes. At any event, it’s a foregone conclusion that Heze will be there, invited or not. Everyone knows, it’s just a given.

“In the very beginning of my journey, I saw what people thought of me. …

I’ve gotten all the weird looks, and I’m not numb to it. I’ve recognized that, but it’s me. I love to do it, and I’m still gonna do it. No one else is gonna tell me whatsoever.”

View Heze’s work on Instagram: @hezekiah_kapuaala

maui

made

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By Chasey Koomoa-Sidney, Kyani Bateman, Marigold Baldonado and Cailyn Omuro

Kenneth Alba

19 School:

Lahainaluna High School, 2020 graduate

Media Activity: Filmmaker, Photographer

Current Projects?

Wedding Film, product promo (filmmaking), senior photos, car/ truck shoots (Photography).

Future Plans?

Although this is a very different job from traditional career paths, I do plan on having filmmaking and photography as a career. It will take lots of time and effort as well as building connections with different people over time, but it’s not something new to me, and it’s something I have settled and focused on when I began this journey into media.

What inspires you to create?

When it comes to filmmaking and photography, one of my inspirations in creating and doing what I’m doing now is seeing the beauty of something in frame and having the ability to enhance that image to show everyone else in my own creative way. The other would have to be seeing my progress.

There’s nothing more satisfying and inspiring than seeing the progress you have made whether it be weeks apart, days apart, months, and even years apart.

Favorite piece of equipment?

My favorite piece of equipment I would say is my camera. It’s not the best out there, but it’s more than enough to create the things I plan on working on. It takes knowing your camera and the experience you gather throughout time to grow with your camera and really use it to its greatest extent. It’s not about having the most expensive gear but it’s how you use it or how well you know how to, at least.

Where can we view your work?

Instagram: @krmedia61 Youtube: KR Media 61

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Photos used courtesy of Kenneth Alba

Kamalei Nemoto

18 School:

Baldwin High School, 2020 graduate

Media Activity: I am a freelance model. I use social media as my visual resume to display my work from paid and collaboration photo shoots. My goal is to attract brands that want to hire me because they like my work and find me to be a good fit for their brand.

When did you start?

I started using social media for my work in May of 2020, shortly after I graduated high school. My modeling started picking up during the summer, and I had more time available to devote to growing and managing my social media account. I also started my own jewelry business during this time, and I rely heavily on Instagram as well.

How do you maintain social media presence?

I found it important to first build a network of people who share the same interests as me, post consistently, keep my stories active, and engage daily with those in my network. The more effort you put into it, the better the benefit.

How has your perspective on social media changed?

Being an influencer model has positively changed my perspective of social media. I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of Instagram and now consider it as a positive tool that I use to my advantage to get my name and face out there (free of charge) in hopes of landing more modeling jobs.

Favorite post?

My favorite posts are of my underwater diving photos as these photos best reflect my true self and passion. I don’t like wearing makeup or dressing up, so these photos are as real as it gets.

Photos used courtesy of Kamalei Nemoto

Where can we view your work?

Instagram: @kamaleiielamak

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Josiah Castillo

18 School:

University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, freshman

Media Activity: Cinema

When did you start?

I began digital media in my freshman year of high school, in the medium of film. The filmmaker is granted the opportunity to express themselves freely through narrative works. It is an art form that allows me to tell my story.

Current projects?

I am currently working as a second assistant camera for a feature film.

I also write and produce my own films and am operating a camera for the Hawaiian music series E Kūpaʻa Kākou.

What inspires you?

Growing up around such rich cultures, I am inspired by the community that raised me. I want to change the narrative through cinema showing that it’s possible for anyone to obtain their dreams no matter what path they are pursuing.

Future plans?

I am going to transfer to the City College of New York for my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Memorable work?

I hold all my projects to a significance because you can learn so much simply by putting in the work.

Favorite Movies?

Goodfellas, Freedom Writers, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Where can we view your work?

Youtube: @Bastillo!

Photos used courtesy of Josiah Castillo

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Logan Tsukiyama

17 School:

Maui High School, junior

Media Activity: I participate in local and national competitions, help produce Maui High’s weekly show, take on projects presented by local organizations or clients, and produce videos for Hiki Nō and PBS Student Reporting Labs.

When did you start?

I was initially introduced to media in the sixth grade through Maui Waena Intermediate School’s STEMworks program. My passion and ambition for it stemmed from my fascination for storytelling through sensory experiences.

Most memorable project?

One of my most memorable projects is a feature story about the community of muralists in Washington, D.C. I was selected to attend the 2018 PBS Student Reporting Labs Academy, and it was my first time working with complete strangers in a new environment. With these elements in addition to unfamiliar equipment and editing software, I was pushed to think on my feet and rely on my group members. It was a memorable learning experience that I still cherish to this day.

Future plans?

In my upcoming senior year of high school, I plan on using my experience and collective knowledge to help foster the next group of up-and-coming storytellers.

Current project?

I am currently in the process of producing a series of medical career awareness videos in partnership with Hale Makua to present to high schoolers.

Where can we view your work?

Photos used courtesy of Logan Tsukiyama

Most of my work can be found on the websites of the organizations or programs I work with, i.e. studentreportinglabs.org, pbshawaii.org.

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How-to: Take good photos

by Kyani Bateman

With modern smartphone photo quality as good as a DSLR camera’s, anyone can easily take professional photos just with the phone in your hand, but getting the perfect shot is not just about the camera you are using. Location, lighting and posing all come together to make the magic happen. Before you put your phone on self-timer, here are a few tips to help you get those professional model shots you see all over Instagram, and who knows?

You may be well on your way to being a social media influencer.

Angles: Turn, move around and point your shoulders and body in a different direction, or change your position by kneeling or sitting.

Photographers: @shotbyshereena @rollandandjessica Model: @modeledby_alohi

Lighting

Try to take photos in the early morning or around sunset.

Mornings are for softer lighting, while sunsets are great for colors and drama. I personally love shooting in the morning, around 7-8, and in the evening, usually 4-6.

Shadowing, or posing in shadows, can be a great solution to hide from harsh light of the midday sun. When shooting in the shade, open your camera settings wide or use a flash to counteract the shadows.

I personally love natural lighting, it brings out a natural glow on someoneʻs skin, but if you are indoors try to find a natural light source coming through a window, or use a flash to fill the scene. The same goes for cloudy days: use a flash.

If the lighting isn’t quite right, you can always edit at home.

Posing

Shapes: Triangles and Barbie toe

Photographers: @jenniferashleyreedphoto Models: @theroseofmaui

@jgray.photography @allyyy.jane

Where to put your arms: Photographers: @groovyawapuhi @jenniferashleyreedphoto @brittneybaker_photography Model: @kyani.bateman

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@colleens.captures @kyani.bateman

Hand under chin, over the forehead, or arms crossed.

The poses you make depend on the reason you are shooting.

If you are lucky enough to be wearing clothing sent to you by a company, make sure you show off the clothing in your posts. Get full-body photos as well as closeups for details. If you are shooting jewelry or accessories, shoot closer. Make sure the jewelry is visible in the photos.

When you are posing, it is important to not just stand there but to make shapes, angles and curves in your body. You can jump, skip, run, lie down, Great photos and poses are always the ones that look silly and weird.

Levels of height are also important to consider. For example, try to pose on your knees or lying down, and conversely try to do tippy-toe posing. Combine levels with body angles. Try to utilize every part of your body: arms, hands, legs and feet. And, yes, posture matters.

A photographer’s tip is to loosen up. In a photoshoot with yourself, friends or family, it’s not necessarily about having the best photos. Let your natural self shine, but if you are doing an important shoot, you can also prepare for that by looking up cool poses and trying them out. Definitely don’t be afraid to look weird. The best photos come when you are happy and having fun in the shoot.

How-to: Capture locations

by Kyani Bateman

A great model can make a location look good, but, some locations can make any model look amazing.

When thinking about photo locations on Maui, have a goal in mind. What is the vibe or feel that you are going for? Are you going for a fun, beach, bright, open space and airy vibe or a dark, foresty, meditative photo?

This doesn’t mean that you need to drive around crazily trying to get a bunch of different shots. Just one or a few locations can give you many different looks.

Stand on the grass and shoot toward the water to get a funin-the-sun photo. Then, turn 180 degrees to capture the lazy,

beachside town life.

If you’re here just for shooting photos, bring several changes of clothes to make the most of each location, and choose outfits that fit with the locations you go to.

Great locations to capture the sunrise are the south side (Kīhei, Makena, Wailea) or the west side (Ka’anapali, Lāhaina, Napili, or Kapalua), but for sunsets, I especially love the west side.

Don’t forget the classic morning sunrise at Haleakalā either. The pinks and purples of the rising sun creeping over the cloud cover produces magical photos that are difficult to get anywhere else. Bring that wide angle lens to get the most of these

photos, and don’t forget to reserve an entrance spot with the National Forest Service first.

If shooting in forested areas that are densely packed with trees, like Olinda, Polipoli or the Hāna Forest Reserve, you will need to have a lot of light with you because the sun won’t penetrate the trees. These are also fun locations to experiment and play with long exposures that make use of the natural light that peeks through the forest canopy.

Other locations, such as the Front Street boardwalk and the Old Fort and banyan tree in Lāhaina are nice.

The many botanical gardens and forest reserves offer a variety

of plant-filled opportunities, and many of Maui’s old buildings have architectural aesthetics that can make for interesting shots.

The ‘Īao Theater on Market Street and the Pu’unēnē Meat Market at the old sugar mill give off art deco vibes, while buildings like the Bailey House in Wailuku or the Pioneer Inn in Lāhaina have a missionary feel that takes you back to the whaling days.

Peggy Sue’s in Kīhei has a classic car night every Saturday if cruising is your thing.

Whatever your photo goal is, Maui has the setting you need.

Old Maui High School

Photographer: @noahgarrettphoto Model: @theroseofmaui

‘Īao Valley Photographer: @bryanjasonphotographer Model: @kyani.bateman

Baldwin Beach

Photographer: @brittneybaker_photography Model: @kyani.bateman

Haleakalā.

Photographer: @MauiKao @Kaoshoots Model: @kamaleiielamak

Olinda Forest Photographer: @brejanephoto Model: @theroseofmaui

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maui

master

.......................................

By Max Bielawski

. ...............

Island actor Branscombe Richmond is

Putting Maui on filming map Branscombe Richmond, an experienced actor and producer with nearly 50 years in the business, is promoting the art of filmmaking back to Hawaiʻi through filming on Maui.

“Filming in Hawaiʻi is special to me. The kūpunas here need to be represented, the young need to be represented, everybody just needs a moment to be represented, and thatʻs why Iʻm doing this. If I can bring hope or bring joy to the young or to even the old, just to understand the visual of how big this industry is, and that we matter,” Richmond says.

Richmond, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a long-time actor, stuntman, and producer. Most people recognize him from his role as Jesup opposite Dwayne Johnson in the 2002 movie The Scorpion King, but others recognize him from his many character roles in movies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) and Soul Surfer (2011).

Most recently, he played the role of Kimo, the grandfather, in Finding ‘Ohana, a project that filmed in Hawai’i using local and Native Hawaiian talent.

Richmond’s work also extends to his voice acting talents. He is recognizable to gamers as the voice of Gibraltar in EA’s 2019 Battle Royale video game Apex Legends.

As a young child, Richmond worked with his father, Leo C. Richmond,

Photos from Netflix

Maui actor Branscombe Richmond in a scene from Netflix’s Finding ‘Ohana with Pea Keahu, a Los Angeles-based actress with Honolulu roots. Richmond has been working with other producers and the Maui Film Office to bring projects to Maui that would showcase the Native experience and employ local talent. on films such as Donovan’s Reef (1963), The Ugly American (1958) and The Devil at 4 o’Clock (1961).

Eventually, Richmond said, he would go on to living a relatively normal life throughout his childhood.

After a short stint as a bouncer in Los Angeles, his father encouraged him to reenter the film industry as a young adult in order to make ends meet.

“Here I was, trying to make a check. I had bills to take care of,” Richmond said.

Through working as an extra and a stuntman in the film industry, Richmond says that he was able to get his shot in the film industry.

His biggest inspiration in pursuing his film career was his father.

“You gotta teach people that there are no limits, you can do anything you want,

you just gotta believe in yourself, and I think that’s what my dad did for me,” he said.

His iron jaw, luxurious black hair and mahogany skin make him recognizable to moviegoers everywhere, but Richmond keeps it real.

“Iʻm just a normal guy walking into a Costco, Foodland, and normal people who I don’t know, but they’re kanakas, and they go, ‘Oh, uncle, I really enjoyed the film.’ That means a lot to me, and when the tūtūs go, “Eh, boy, good job,’ that’s what really makes me feel good.”

He says he is proud of the impact Finding ‘Ohana has had on Hawai’i, and on people everywhere.

“In all languages around the world, a child in Iran can watch this movie about kids in Hawai’i. Number one for almost 17 days.

Why? Worldwide, people

around the world watched this movie about a bunch of kids looking for gold in Hawaiʻi and got a cranky grandfather,” he said, indicating himself.

But Richmond’s involvement in the film industry goes deeper than his on-screen presence.

He also works behind the scenes to bring projects to Maui. He has close ties to the Maui County Film Office and the island itself.

“Right now, I love to film in the county that I’m a resident of. I love Maui County. My grandma is from here, mom passed away here. I have allegiances to Maui,” he said.

In fact, Richmond has produced five films on Maui in the past three years.

“I love to tell the Hawaiian story, and our legacies, and our struggles, and to create role models for the young, the next generation of filmmakers.”

A tax credit of 25% of qualified production costs incurred on the island of Maui allows filmmakers such as Richmond to film here and remain competitive with other states.

According to Richmond, as a producer, he is like a manufacturer.

“If you go to the bakery, someone makes the dough, bakes the cookies, and then the cookies come out. And then somebody sells the cookies. So, I’m baking the (Richmond cont. on page 18)

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Photo by Dyllyn Kahalehau

Producers Derek Sulek, Tai Truesdell, Brandon Clark, Branscombe Richmond, Steven Wu, Brian Herzlinger and Oren Kamara celebrate a sucessful day of filming on the set of the upcoming movie, Aloha With Love, filmed on Maui with local cast and crew.

(Richmond cont. from page 17)

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cookies, and I help sell the cookies, that being content for the television industry and the movie industry.”

As a producer, he handles the financing, distribution and hiring for films.

“Itʻs a calculated-risk business, and make no mistake, it’s not for the faint at heart,” he said.

Currently, he is on-island working on the film Aloha with Love, a romantic comedy set on Maui and set for release on the Hallmark streaming platform.

“We are blessed to have a lot of local people here working on it. It’s a mixed bag of cultures, … [but] it’s being propelled by the Native Hawaiian culture,” he said.

Fellow producer Tai Truesdell says that he wanted to bring a true sense of Hawai’i to the rest of the

world with this new film.

“Whenever I’d see a film about Hawai’i, not all of them, but a number about Hawai’i, the locals were always not represented the right way,” he said.

The two met on the recommendation of Maui County Film Commissioner Tracy Bennett.

Both in the movie industry in general and in the state specifically, this type of networking is key to getting projects made and getting local stories told by local people.

“It’s local knowledge.

It’s being able to use the people here and saying, ‘Hey, how do we make something great?’ Our goal is to do as many movies as we can here, action movies, other movies. Our foreign investors love this idea, to capture the beauty of specifically Maui and bring

in local talent and educate ... teach them a trade, show them it can be done here without having to go O’ahu,” Truesdell said.

Executive producer Brandon Clark said he met Richmond a few years ago, but found out that their partnership goes deeper.

“I found out Branscombe knows my father (and) my grandfather. They all worked together,” he said.

Clark’s grandfather worked on John Wayne films and later worked on movies like The Goonies (1985).

“Branscombe worked with my father on Pippi Longstocking (1969), and then I realized he met my grandfather. He knew who my dad was, and when my grandfather was doing The Goonies, Branscombe and my father were working on Pippi Longstocking, and he

knew I came from Legacy, but I met him through other friends just over the years and we got really close because of this particular movie being filmed on Maui,” Clark said.

He says that Richmond makes it possible to bring a real sense of authenticity to Aloha With Love.

“It’s really special being able to film in Hawai’i. A lot of people shoot on O‘ahu and do all the big stuff, but when I came to Maui, I was like, ‘This place is unique.’ I love the culture of it. People protect that. There’s cool traditions. The aloha spirit is really true and raw, and we wanted to bring that out and show that to people and show the authenticity and spirit of that, and so with Branscombe’s help, we changed a lot of the script, and through a lot of rewrites, we were able to bring that to life,” Clark said.

Richmond’s five keys for working in the film industry: timing, chance, good fortune, persistence and talent.

“You also need the governing fathers of your county and your state to assist and get to the next step. If you include yourself to do projects with the government, that makes a lot of sense,” he said.

Richmond says that the COVID-19 pandemic has made him realize that filming at home is best.

“We have a voice. We’ve created a voice. We’re creating a bigger voice. Use your voice. We gotta do it through entertainment.

We’ve gotta do it through song,” he said.

Mana Wahine

Kiana Liu: changing course during pandemic

by Dyllyn Kahalehau

Kiana Liu is an independent media person doing her thing and doing good by helping small businesses grow, helping others and promoting environmental awareness.

In her sophomore year at Loyola Marymount University, Liu is majoring in film and television production, but home on Maui since the pandemic started in March last year, Liu has gotten into doing photography professionally for local businesses.

“I was expecting to stay here for, like, another week then go back to college and everything would be

normal, obviously that didn’t happen,” she said.

Given her situation, it was hard for Liu to find local actors to create films, so she turned to photography, which had always been a passion of hers and what initially got her into film.

Recently Liu has been working with a local bathing suit brand called Kulunakinis.

The biggest brand she has worked with so far has been the Aloha Collection, through her client Kawai Kapuni, who had a sponsorship with the brand.

“It’s so surreal to see your photo being posted by a

brand or even just a client.

It makes me so happy to see my photos and my work out there,” Liu said.

Liu has worked hard for many years crafting her skills in photography and editing photos for hours.

She says it’s a rewarding feeling when clients like their photos and are willing enough to post it on their Instagram feeds.

“I take great pride in that, and it makes me super happy.”

In the future Liu would like to start her own photography business. She has a website to showcase her photos and her prices.

“It’s just an easier way for people to reach out to me and for me to reach out to businesses. I feel like that’s the only way to make connections and for me to get noticed,” she said.

Instagram: pc.kianaliu

Marigold Baldonado: pursuing perfection, representation

by Samantha Joyce Della

Marigold “Gigi” Baldonado, a senior at Maui High School, is a seasoned digital media student who plans to study film postproduction in college.

Baldonado has had a special appreciation for movies and YouTube videos since childhood. She also has an over-the-top work ethic and a natural tendency to challenge herself, a combination that has molded her into a standout aspiring editor.

Last summer, she served as a video and website intern at the non-profit organization Ka’ehu, where she produced over 30 videos and designed the website for

their youth program as her senior project. There, she had a relentless drive and delivered impressive results.

The videos consisted of mentors teaching Hawaiian culture and STEM to the youth of Hawaiʻi. Her internship expanded her skill set and stretched her to grow. For instance, half of the footage she filmed was in Hawaiian, and instead of using her usual editing program Final Cut Pro, she used Adobe Premiere Pro. Baldonado pours all of herself into projects until they meet her standards.

“I learned that I might be a workaholic,” she said.

“During my project, I had

to record how much time I had put into everything I did, and it totaled around 320+ hours, which is crazy considering my project was only two months long.”

Baldonado knows that her work habits affect both her mental and physical health, and she wants to work on this in order to improve her overall wellbeing.

Throughout all her media projects, Baldonado said, she has learned life lessons and new skills that she will be using for the rest of her life. She looks forward to a career in film production and is further motivated by her belief that there is a lack of diversity in the industry.

“I am not only a woman, but a woman of color, so I feel that they need more people like me in the field,” she said.

Photo used courtesy of Kyson Calibuso Instagram: marigoldbaldonado

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Hollywood and humble:

Maui High graduate makes it

by Faith Christy Soliven Meet Jason Baum, a relaxed, easy-going Mauiraised filmmaker, now based in L.A., who continues to garner compelling success in the highly revered but often hard to break into entertainment industry.

With a client list that flaunts big brand names like Nike and Instagram as well as megastars like Sia and Beyoncè and an imposing resume that includes award-winning productions like Kendrick Lamar’s Be Humble music video, the humble freelance film producer has established quite a respected place in what’s regarded as a notoriously competitive career field.

Interestingly for Baum, being destined to be a successful film producer wasn’t apparent from the start.

“I don’t think I ever really knew what I wanted to do. I wasn’t someone that when I was in high school, I knew exactly the profession that I want to spend the rest of my life with,” Baum said.

He did know for sure that he really enjoyed playing with various technologies, such as the computer, different software, or a camera. These small foundational contributions progressively fostered his interest in filmmaking.

In tune with his interests, Baum thought to himself, “If I could find a way to

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Photo used courtesy of Joyce Kim

Baum works on the set of Childish Gambino’s music video Telegraph Ave on Oʻahu. This Maui High alumnus is making his dreams comes true in the bright lights of Los Angeles.

“...every project that comes out successful reminds me that I’m doing something worthwhile.”

get paid, and have this as a job, and do something interesting to me, that would be the perfect job.”

Baum established many fundamentals of his career through curiosity and authentic experiences from high school and college.

He learned technical skills from his 8th-grade yearbook class and had access to equipment, teachers and classes at Maui High School.

-Jason Baum Baum credits his role as treasurer for four years in student government in high school for developing many of the skills that apply to his work today as a producer.

“My job is essentially a wedding planner, but without a wedding,” he jokes, “and, you know, that’s just like planning prom or planning a homecoming and things like that. So learning how to work with people and to

be organized, it’s all things that I’ve been sort of honing since I was younger.”

Baum recalls being a student who both took classes seriously and prioritized being social and involved so that he could enjoy his high school years.

Once he graduated, he attended New York University for film school, then interned at various music video production companies and worked his way up the ladder as he learned how the industry operated.

Upon graduating from college at 21, Baum expected his career to move a lot faster; however, as jobs did not always manifest when expected, Baum commonly re-evaluated his career goals at different points.

“I think it’s important to have goals, and it’s important to set ambitious deadlines for yourself, but just know that you can constantly re-evaluate it,” he said. “Success comes at different speeds for each person, ... but it’s important to set the goals, so you have something to aspire to, so you can have drive, and you can have something to hold you accountable to what you’re trying to do.”

With both of his parents being doctors, Baum was accustomed to a structured lifestyle in his youth. In contrast to this, he found

himself intrigued by the excitement and diverse opportunities in freelance work.

“It was neat that every single project, you could work with a different group of people and that every different shoot had something new to it and wasn’t the same thing every day. I like that variety that working in the film industry provides,” he said.

The unpredictability of freelancing and the whole community of people he worked with kept him drawn to pursuing a career in film.

Throughout the course of nearly 15 years working in the industry, Baum remains reflective about his path.

“I think every project that comes out successful reminds me that I’m doing something worthwhile. I think when a project goes well, and people praise what I did or are appreciative of how things went, it goes to remind myself that this is something that I am talented in and that I bring a certain set of skills to,” he said.

Aside from Baum’s talent and skills, another contributor to his career opportunities is the relaxed Maui energy he carries from his upbringing. Baum explains how “making entertainment can be stressful because you never have enough money, you never have enough time, so that leads to a lot of stressful work environments.”

As a nice counter to that, being “grounded, relaxed and not easily stressed out” are qualities appreciated by the people he works with.

Photo used courtesy of Atiba Jefferson

Baum works alongside director Spike Jonze in New York City on the set of Beastie Boys Story.

As Baum re-evaluates where he is now in his career and where he aspires to go in the next five to ten years, he shares that the next challenge he would look to embrace involves telling stories differently than he’s used to by producing a feature film. For whatever lies ahead of him, he stays grounded to “not be so obsessed with career and progress” but also “cultivate family and friends, inspire others, bring other people up with you and give back to the community.”

As for his hopes with the new generation of storytellers, he references staying true to yourself as a creator.

“The best thing anyone can do is really trying to understand what their story is, right? Because everyone has a unique upbringing and unique perspective. And that’s the story that hasn’t been told,” he said.

He strongly encourages everyone to find ways to tell their own stories and

Photo used courtesy of Doug Klinger

Baum stands in for Ludwig Göransson on the music video set for The Mandalorian Theme in Los Angeles. share the lessons learned from their own experiences.

That, and “make things.”

Baum says to simply keep creating because “every time you make something, you’re going to learn

something for yourself and each time you’ll get better.”

View Jason Baum’s work: www.jasonbaum.com Follow Jason on IG: @jason_baum

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Photos used courtesy of Jennifer Suzuki

Capriana Nozaki films for a segment on the crosswalks mural project just outside Lihikai Elementary School.

Maui Waena’s mini media masters persevere

by Alexis Joy Viloria Established in 2010, Maui Waena Intermediate School’s STEMworks AFTERschool Program has been pumping out media masters for 11 years now.

Competing in various state and national competitions like the annual ‘Ōlelo Youth Xchange Video Competition and the Student Television Network convention and featured in multiple television programs like Hiki Nō and PBS NewsHour, the after-school digital media program at Maui Waena has solidified its spot as one of the state’s best middle school media

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programs. Over 50 awards later, the program continues to thrive even within the limits of the pandemic.

Faced with the obstacles of operating within the pandemic, the STEMWorks AFTERschool program has resumed virtually.

Adviser Jennifer Suzuki, who has been teaching at Maui Waena for 21 years, 11 of them with the media program, said this has proven to be difficult.

“It was difficult to convince students to attend for 3 hours a day after they had been sitting at their computer all day,” she said.

With students operating from home, the club had to make some adjustments to continue producing content.

“We used phones, online format for interviews and anchoring, and online editing software, which was limiting, but students were still able to produce a quality weekly show, for which I am extremely proud,” Ms. Suzuki said.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the program garnered enough attention operating virtually that many new students have joined the ranks of the program.

As a student learning remotely through the Acellus Academy, 6thgrader Capriana Nozaki doesn’t get much interaction with other students in her grade, but she said that the media program felt like a safe haven.

“The STEMworks program made me feel really excited because I had people to talk to and to interact with. It was also a good opportunity to make new friends even if it’s through a screen,” she said.

Even in her short time with the program, Nozaki has already proven herself to be quite the superstar with the skills she has acquired thus far.

“My skills have improved in terms of technology skills, like After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and Photoshop. I never knew how to use those things until

I joined the STEMworks club,” she said.

Through the production of content, students are able to learn digital media skills and apply them for the entertainment and education of their peers and members of the community.

It has allowed eighthgrader and program veteran Wilson Chau to explore his interests.

“My passion originally started with robotics and team-building. Eventually, my interest expanded to

media, and its amazing assets of videography,” he said.

To many students, past and current, the program is much more than a learning space. The time they spend together allows them to grow familial bonds.

Seventh-grader Alyza Sitts-Leyva said, “I probably spend more time with our media club than with my family at this point, but I’ve never felt pressured to stay. I’ve always felt more than welcome to be

Alyza Sitts-Leyva accepts a proclamation on behalf of the Maui Waena STEMworks AFTERschool program.

Wilson Chau

Capriana Nozaki

with our media program and I’ve always felt free to talk and share my ideas and opinions with our program and my group.”

Those bonds have been shown to last, as students from years back maintain connections with each other as well as with Suzuki.

“Most of my former students still keep in touch with their group from middle school, even now, as college graduates. Even students who are in college or who have graduated, come back to help with projects,” she said. “Once you are part of this family, you are stuck with us.”

The mentors of the virtual program are prime examples of connected alumni.

“I am so lucky to have former students who are brilliant and desire to give back. Currently, the virtual program is being run by six former students who are juniors and seniors in high school,” Ms. Suzuki said.

The onset of the pandemic, as it has with many other things, has created hardship when

it comes to maintaining attendance in the program.

“This has been a rough year, and we have far fewer members—our average daily in-person attendance was 75-85, now we are lucky to get 15—so the next few years will be building years,” Suzuki said.

Determined to bring the club back to its glory, Ms. Suzuki is ready for the journey back to full throttle with the help of her students.

“We will have to develop a new, strong base of dedicated students to support our commitments, but I feel confident that we will. I hope that in five years, we will be at least to the level we were preCOVID and that we will have learned to be even more adaptable because of this experience,” she said Maui Waena’s STEMworks AFTERschool program, has proven to be resilient and determined to make the best of every situation. From the start of the program with students creating content on camcorders in a tiny classroom to present times where they have access to quality equipment in a brand new facility, the growth of the program—and its students—is unrivaled As time goes on, everyone can expect that the Maui Waena’s STEMworks AFTERschool program will continue to create media masters headed toward success.

Alyza Sitts- Leyva

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