Aloha Aina - Indigenous Life in Hawaii

In this episode we follow Kaina Makua through the Ahupua’a of Waimea on the island of Kauai where we experience the ways in which Native Hawaiians are shaping the modern world with traditional practices and indigenous values.

In hopes of further supporting Kaina and his organization we’re matching up to $5,000 in donations:

During the making of this episode we were also proud to shoot a 

That collection can be found here :

[keahinoalange]

Remember that he said “what makes Hawai’i Hawai’i is the people. You can’t have Hawai’i without Hawaiians.” Because that’s the true underlying moral of the video, and message so many Hawaiians constantly try to express.

[gtxxviii]

When he said “ …because even though this is my home, I will always be a guest here…”
That was deep, man.
Not everyone has that mentality when they travel.
I love your videos by the way!

[josuebraden]

Men like these. Culture, community, language, practices, and philosophies like these. This is our way forward as a human family. I thank you deeply for this video. Much love.

[kemaila]

Mahalo for centering Native Hawaiian people and values/worldview in a story about Hawai’i. So few haole ever even take the time to notice.

[makaya]

This is beautiful man. I grew up on Oahu and my family is still there, but one thing I've struggled with is since I moved away I never really felt like I belonged anywhere or at least was never in a place that I saw myself being in for a long while. I always wondered where the world would take me and it had been a decade since I'd been back home. This Christmas, I went back home. I had almost forgotten not only what it looked like, but what the people were like. And, finally for the first time since, I had felt... at home. I had finally found once again the place that I belong. My auntie had told me "The world is going to take you all over and I am proud of what you're doing on the mainland, but you will come back. You will find your way home, it's in your blood." This battle I had with myself is finally over, and while right now I still cannot return forever. I will one day, and it's nice to know that. It's nice to know that there is a place where unlike no other I am accepted and I feel accepted to be who I am and not have to pretend and feel guilty. I'm half white so it always felt wrong to claim to be Hawaiian even though I am because people didn't believe me. But, I have nothing to prove to others, I know where I belong now. Thanks for sharing, beautiful film.

[voz]

Thought I was watching a Netflix documentary for a sec. Beautiful people and culture. Thanks for sharing your experiences with the world. I wish we would all cherish the Earth, respect one another, and have gratitude this deep. Something meaningful to pass on to the future gens.

[hib]

That's what is missing in our lives today. Everyones' face stuck to a screen. Disconnected. Lonely with no connection. Thanks for the insight into the way life should be.

[clcl]

The day I’ve arrived in Hawaii… the welcoming atmosphere made me feel like I was home. They were welcoming me with open arms. They taught me Hawaiian ways. I truly appreciate the Hawaiian people and as a haole (Filipino-American). I would love to come back and give back to the Hawaiian people. As a thank you for allowing me into your beautiful kingdom and would love to learn more about the Hawaiian culture. So, I can spread it among my family. This documentary was truly emotional and can’t wait for the future episodes.

[MrKokoboy]

Sending love from the bottom of the pacific, Aotearoa - New Zealand 🇳🇿 to our Hawaiian 🌺 cousins Arohanui

[matthewglowacki]

I plan to use this as part of my Art lesson for 6th graders. We have a great Ojibwe population here and I am excited to share this to show them the connections between indigenous people <3 Thank you for caring, and respecting indigenous people without pride but with beautiful humility in putting them first and yourself as guest.

[micheltraas_films]

Amazing storytelling and cinematography, it's a beautiful piece of art. I greatly enjoy how you bring awareness to this and other communities. Can't wait till the next one!

[laurenconklin]

Tell me why I cried for 18 minutes and 18 seconds!!? So touching and well done, so many universal messages you and Kaina are reminding us of.

[almapetit]

What a lesson of humanity… for humanity. The essentials of our lives: Earth, Well Being, Kindness, Arts & Beauty, Family, Spirituality, it was all captured through all of your presences who made this celebratory hommage on Hawaiian culture and roots possible and shareable. Thank you, from France, where I feel that the land I walk on resonates with yours.. through the wind, the sea and the sun that shines upon us all. Thank you Sam for reminding me of my essentials, no matter what.

[hailikekauoha]

I really have no words, but to thank you for specifically shining light on our culture and connecting it to the realization that we’re all here for the same purposes. This video will forever have a hold on me !!

[stam]

Talofa lava, Captain Potter. I am American Samoan on my own journey to discover my cultural identity. Born, raised and currently residing in Alaska, I only recently began to actively connect with my Alaska Native indigenous elders who’ve been sharing century old stories of how my Polynesian ancestors are connected to many of the Alaska Native cultures here. Having been born outside and away from my culture, I have been fighting hard to get back to it. Thank you for sharing this. Alaska has many indigenous communities here that are still subsistence living if you’re ever interested in visiting! Fa'afetai!

[pmunguia]

I love the clarification that we are guests. And the desire to be a good guest. Great short film.

[thegreatestadvice]

Hawaiians are incredible people. Very touching look into a pillar of the local community. More of this please Mr. Potter. A+.

[monicacrawford]

Hi Sam, thanks for sharing your love for Hawaii and the culture. In 1984 my husband and I got married on Oahu while my husband was stationed at Schofield Barracks. We lived there for a few short years and loved the island and people of Hawaii. We went back as tourists with our 4 children in 1999 and had a wonderful time. This September we will return to Oahu and celebrate our 40th Anniversary. Hope you reach many more people so they can learn about the beautiful culture and love for their heritage 💜

[briiannawood]

The clip of you learning to paddle made me emotional. I paddled for 4 years and had the chance to race on almost every island. Kaua'i was one of the best. Mahalo for sharing!

[tagaloa]

Such a Polynesian thing to do we love it feeling proud to be a South Pacific Islander.beautiful what you doing brother. Thank you for sharing. The talo looks so good. Man the islands need more of you. Our race is blessed cus of people like you helping out keeping us connected and reminding us who we are as people. Malo talofa fa’afetai. Samoa aiga loves the kanaka aina of havaii all the way back to savaii.