The movie “Aloha” had a disappointing first weekend at the box office, coming in number six in terms of ticket sales. The reviews have not been good either, and the film has sparked controversy in part because a cast that’s almost entirely white. We sought out a local perspective from Noelle Kahanu, who works in American Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at M?noa and is currently a commissioner of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
There are people I know and love in the controversial film “Aloha” and so when I saw the film last week, I tried to keep an open mind. But that mind became increasingly befuddled and confused by a wayward plot, nonsensical characters who lacked chemistry, a bizarre scene involving night marchers and odd references.
The film, however, did have a few redeeming qualities, such as introducing the notion of contemporary Hawaiian nationhood to a worldwide audience. Nonetheless, an avalanche of criticism has ensued, especially over the issue of cultural misappropriation, causing even director Cameron Crowe to apologize. But who are we kidding? Why are we wasting so much energy criticizing Hollywood for its lack of authenticity? Can we really expect anything else?
Hawaiians are brilliant storytellers, sharing beautiful narratives through mo’olelo, mele, oli and hula. Rather than focusing on the usurpers, can’t we instead find ways to support our fledgling native filmmakers, like Ty Sanga and his feature film, After Mele about a son reuniting with his destructive father. Let’s find ways to tell our own vibrant and authentic narratives – of love and loss, colonialism and conflict, despair and anger, agency and responsibility, and yes, even aloha.
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