Comment on Some Native Hawaiians disapprove of 'Aloha' movie title

Some Native Hawaiians disapprove of 'Aloha' movie title

The concerns are based largely on a trailer that depicts a military-themed love-story that appears devoid of a genuine connection to Hawaiian culture. Sony Pictures did not comment on the concerns, pointing The Associated Press to an online behind-the-scenes piece that shows Stone's character saying, "this place has a lot of mana," using a Hawaiian word that can mean power. There are shots of hula and interviews with Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele, a Native Hawaiian sovereignty activist who appears in the movie. The trailer is an example of "typical Hollywood," where "Hawaii is the verdant background for white fantasies," said Ty Kawika Tengan, chair of the ethnic studies department at the University of Hawaii's Manoa campus. The Hawaii Film Office is a state agency that promotes the industry and administers permits and tax credits. In 1931, another "Aloha" movie told of "a half-caste island girl" who "refuses to follow tradition and marry a fellow islander, instead falling in love with a white man and heir to an American fortune," according to IMDb.com. Hawaii residents, including Native Hawaiians, worked behind and in front of the camera on the movie, said Brenda Ching, executive director of the Hawaii local of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

 

Comment On This Story

Welcome to Wopular!

Welcome to Wopular

Wopular is an online newspaper rack, giving you a summary view of the top headlines from the top news sites.

Senh Duong (Founder)
Wopular, MWB, RottenTomatoes

Subscribe to Wopular's RSS Fan Wopular on Facebook Follow Wopular on Twitter Follow Wopular on Google Plus

MoviesWithButter : Our Sister Site

More Movies News