WRITER | Filmmaker
After wrapping up a five-month theatrical run in June, ALOHA SURF HOTEL will finally be available on VOD as of Oct. 12th. Among others, platforms include AppleTV/iTunes, Amazon, Comcast, Dish, Verizon, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, etc. If you enjoy it, please spread the word!
More info on the film’s official website:
https://alohasurfhotel.com
Poster for “ALOHA SURF HOTEL” festival premiere at the 2020 Hawai’i Int’l Film Festival.
Poster for feature comedy “ALOHA SURF HOTEL”
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June 18th we wrapped the feature comedy “Aloha Surf Hotel”, starring Augie T, Taiana Tully, Alex Farnham, Branscombe Richmond, Lauren Shaw, Daniella Monet, Shawn Garnett, Peahi, Matt Corboy and many more amazing actors from the Hawaiian islands and beyond.
My fourth feature as a writer/director, this is a film developed over numerous years with Jon Stern of Abominable Pictures, who produced along with Keith Quinn and Branscombe Richmond. Shot entirely on Maui, the production brought together a team that’s worked on numerous films, among others DP Dan Hersey, production designer Burt Sakata, wardrobe dynamo Beth Anne Kelleher, HMU head Natalie Bruce, script super Darren Corrao, etc. I’m so grateful to everyone in every department for giving it their all — it was a demanding schedule but we made our days, and the dynamic on set was overwhelmingly positive.
Now editor Adi Ell-Ad and I will be holed up editing for the coming months. Look for the film to play festivals and release on big and small screens in 2020.
In addition to thanking cast and crew, I want to express my gratitude to all the individuals and companies that supported us along the way. A partial list includes: GVS Accelerator on the Big Island for supporting this project from infancy onward, Blackmagic Design for cameras, Sigma for cine lenses, Wailuku Coffee Company for keeping us fueled, Naish for kiting gear, Jud Lau Surfboards, Timpone Hawaii, Nona Lani Cottages and Kihei Charter School for amazing locations, Reef, Western Aloha, Rachel Sutton, Shelton Automasters, Urban Decay Cosmetics, PigOut Chips, Maui County and film commissioner Tracy Bennet, MBS, and many many more!
Mahalo All!
KULEANA opened in eight theaters in Hawai'i and Guam on March 30th, posted strong opening weekend box office numbers, and expands this weekend to three additional locations on Oahu. It's been a pleasure working with Regal Cinemas on this roll-out, as they really seem to see the box office potential of local stories for the local market.
If we can continue to post strong numbers, we'll begin discussions with Regal about opening the film in select mainland markets. Check Hawaii Cinema's website for where it's playing near you, as there are already many screenings on the calendar for the coming months via GathR's theater-on-demand platform.
And don't forget, buy your tickets in ADVANCE!
EVEN THOUGH THE WHOLE WORLD IS BURNING - my documentary on poet and environmental activist W.S. Merwin - will screen on May 8th in Chicago. The screening is part of the opening festivities for the American Writers Museum. Old friends Edward Morris & Susannah Saylor have created an amazing exhibit inspired by Merwin's palm forest, called "All Awake in the Darkness." More info on their great work HERE. Screening info HERE. I'll be attending with others from the Merwin Conservancy for a post-screening Q&A.
Also, looking ahead to June, an indie feature I produced in Hawai'i, entitled KULEANA, will screen as part of the Maui Film Festival. This a period drama/mystery written and directed by Brian Kohne, and starring an amazing cast all with roots in Hawai'i - Moronai Kanekoa, Sonya Balmores, Kristina Anapau, Branscombe Richmond, Augie T, Marlene Sai...
We were lucky enough to have some of the NYC film family here for this one too - DP Dan Hersey, Costume Designer Bethanne Kelleher, sound wizard Marcin Tyszka, etc.
KULEANA trailer can be found HERE.
Tickets for the Maui Film Festival screening on Friday, June 23rd, at the Celestial Cinema can be purchased HERE.
