Clips from "Lahaina: Waves of Change" by Eddie & Myrna Kamae
Lāhainā, Maui is a place rich in historical and cultural tradition. Once the home of Hawaiian royalty, it was the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and a whaling port. Lāhainā’s past century saw the growth of plantations and tourism. With the end of the plantation era, an increasing reliance on tourism and development brought new challenges.
The documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change captures the spirit of Lāhainā’s multi-ethnic community, seeking to build a future while honoring their historic and colorful past.
Introduction to the 2007 award-winning documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change, directed by Eddie Kamae and produced by his wife Myrna Kamae, Dennis Mahaffay and Lisa Altieri Sosa.
Eddie Kamae reflecting on his time as a child visiting his grandmother in Lāhainā during the 1930s. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
William Waiohu, in ʻōlelo Hawaʻi, shares about plantation life and values. George “Keoki” Freeland explains how each plantation camp had different ethnicities. Eddie Kamae reflects on how, despite our differences, we are all one. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Eddie Kamae describes what he saw and heard when he would visit Lāhainā throughout his life. He shares that everybody cared for each other and still aloha one another. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Eddie Kamae recounts the time he strangely fell down while playing on Lāhainā’s baseball field. Cultural experts and practitioners Hokulani Holt-Padilla and Sam Kaʻai reveal how spiritual that area is because of its history as Mokuhinia pond and Mokuʻula island. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Hokulani Holt-Padilla, Barbara Sharp, and Sam Kaʻai recall how the whaling ships and the whalers negatively impacted the culture of Lāhainā and how it led to massive changes. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Hokulani Holt-Padilla explains how the water in the uplands created lush waterways and wetlands in Lāhainā. She continues to show how this water eventually became stagnant and dried up as plantation interests diverted the waters. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
George “Keoki” Freeland and Hokulani Holt-Padilla explain how Mokuʻula became a ballpark. Sam Kaʻai shares the sacredness of Mokuʻula and how it is a place of spiritual power. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Cultural anthropologist, Christian Klieger, recount details from an archaeological survey of Mokuʻula. Akoni Akana explains the geographical area of Mokuʻula. Jerry Kunitomo reflects on the significance of Lāhaināʻs aliʻi history and the voice of Mokuʻula. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Hokulani Holt-Padilla and Eddie Kamae explain the historical significance of Lahainaluna school and the role the school had in preserving and promoting Hawaiian knowledge. Lorraine Gomez reflects on the legacy of the three prominent Hawaiian scholars from Lahainaluna and their lasting impact on students. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Hokulani Holt-Padilla and Eddie Kamae discuss Lāhainā as a tourist town and the importance of ensuring that the people of Lāhainā remain there. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Jerry Kunitomo and Eddie Kamae reflect on cultural tourism and the importance of balancing it with the needs of Lāhainā’s people. Includes music by Lilia Wahinemaikaʻi Hale [Mama Hale] and Eddie Kamae & The Sons of Hawaiʻi. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Jerry Kunitomo reflects on all the changes and how they are breaking the legacy of Lāhainā. William Waiohu remembers how everybody back then helped each other. How everyone called each other family. Clip is from the documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change.
Conclusion to the award-winning documentary, Lahaina: Waves of Change by Eddie & Myrna Kamae. This clip reflects on the many stories that make up Lāhainā and how it remains a sacred Hawaiian place.
LEARN MORE
- Visit our production materials page to see all 207 raw footage clips.
- Visit our special theme page to see 49 highlighted raw footage clips.
- Visit He Pū‘olo Aloha no Lāhainā to see a compilation of sources that highlight the layered stories of Lahaina from place names, to moʻolelo, to the song “Kananaka” and video clips from Eddie and Myrna Kamae’s documentary, “Lahaina: Waves of Change.”
