Featuring a live introduction with founder of Visible Asians 

 and live post-screening discussion with:

This film is a part of the AAPI Storytellers Festival. Your donation goes to the 

In Christopher Kahunahana’s experimental drama, a Native Hawaiian hula dancer on the run from her abusive boyfriend finds herself thrust into a surreal hidden world. This immensely impactful story uses allegory to probe themes of nature, cultural identity, intergenerational violence, the disconnect between our fantasy of Hawaii as paradise and the stark reality of its postcolonial roots, and much more. 

*This screening event is only available to people located in the US. 

Live Post-Screening Discussion with Director 

Before each AAPI Storytellers Festival screening, we will show Bao Nguyen's short film '#StopAsianHate​ Together'

Kinema

Escaping her abusive ex-boyfriend, KEA, a part-time Hawaiian teacher, hula dancer, and bar hostess temporarily lives out of her van to piece her life back together. One night after a violent beating, she speeds off into the night only to slam into WO, a mysterious homeless man crossing the street. Unwilling to leave him to die, she takes him into her van and life.

Their developing friendship and illusions of safety are soon shattered when her van is towed. Her desperation triggers past trauma, driving her towards insanity. WAIKIKI is a visceral allegory for the contemporary issues which plague Hawaiiʻs people, from mental illness, physical abuse, and the loss of Hawaiian identity.

When a hula dancer on the run crashes into a broken spirit of a man, they begin a journey into a hidden world, developing a connection through humanity, nature, and culture.

Waikiki