Aloha & Mahalo for pledging. The decision to cancel funding through Kickstarter was made this morning by the new Executive Producers who have come aboard along with myself, the Producer and Creator of this Funding Campaign. The experiment to fund through this website was not as successful as the Pitch meetings we had on a one on on basis with prospective donors. Sitting down with them enabled us to answer questions on the spot and deliver a better presentation. As this project is unique and will be very complex due to the nature of the topic, it will be better funded, as we have found, by these very same meetings with businesses, individuals, and organizations who have a deep desire and respect for all things Hawaiian. Grant Proposals and other avenues are being pursued, and once we are approved (as 90% are approved) by the International Documentary Association to be a Fiscal Sponsor for our Project, we will be able to offer donors a 100% tax credit with the new non-profit status of the company. Much mahalo again for your Support! Look for the Ahupua'a Documentary in the future at Festivals here and on the mainland, because that is our goal. Screening will be held here on Oahu, and you will get an invitation to the Screening and the After-party. We have so much to do in the coming months. If you wish to keep up with the progress of the Project, please search the Facebook Fan Page: Ahupua'a, and you will find us.

aloha,

Nalani Mamoali'ialapa'i (Descendant of Chief Alapa'i and Hao) Hao

Aloha Backers!

I am again offering my ebook , "Old Nene's Book of Hawaiian Nursery Rhymes" to anyone backing this project. After going through the process (registering for Kickstarter & then Amazon) please send me your email address via this website by messaging it to me. There is a link at the bottom right (I believe) where you can message me after you pledge.

The minimum amount is $20.00 for updates and your name in the End Credits of the Documentary. This is where I will acknowledge you as a contributor to the making of this film.

Mahalo again.

If you wish to view the ebook, go to: http://www.lulu.com/nalanisbookshelf

Aloha Everyone!

I am very happy to report that the list of people who have agreed to be interviewed for this documentary has grown to include over 35 Fishermen, Farmers, Kupuna (Elders), Native Hawaiians and Residents of Hawaii and Professionals who have experiences to share regarding Native Hawaiian self-sustainability here in Hawaii.

I understand that self-sustainability is an important issue, but like Sovereignty, sometimes misunderstood.

My sister Haunani put it simply: "A fisherman who brings in his catch to feed his family, and to share with others in return for other goods."

Please spread the word and let everyone know about this project. It's important to our survival as Islanders whether we are Hawaiians, Filipino, Asian, etc. We all need to learn how the people before us came to thrive in this most isolated spot in the Pacific Ocean. We cannot always depend on outside imported goods to sustain us.

~ "Our Future is in Our Past"~

My Papa Hao, who was originally from the fishing village of Miloli'i, on the Big Island, Kona side, passed away at 93 years old, but just the other day I had an interesting conversation with my Uncle Louis Hao; Fomer Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee, Retired Head of the Tri-Island (Maui, Lanai, & Molokai) with the Department of Land & Natural Resources. Just a quick phone call to him, and he was able to tell me a very intriguing story my grandfather told him about one of their traditional fishing practices.

THE MO'OLELO (STORY):

When he was fishing in the olden days, a family of seven or so were put in charge of caring for the Opelu. Each family would take turns everyday going out to feed the Opelu, who would come "like chickens" to eat. Another family would go the next day, and they would take turns year 'round, every family taking their turn. Then at a certain time of the year they would harvest the Opelu, sharing with everyone in the village, and those who harvested the vegetables, gifting each other's catches or pickings from their gardens.

Now each district was separate from the other. All the people of each district respected each other, and no person would come to take from the other.

These stories and more will be in the documentary! Please spread the word. We need more backers to make this Project a Reality.

Launching the Kickstarter Campaign at my "Night Before The Oscars" Fundraiser Party tonight at HARS Wine Company at 31 N. Pauahi Street, 1B, Honolulu, HI 96817.

6-9pm March 6, 2010

Wine, Dinner & Pupus (Hawaiian for "refreshments")
Live Music
Cariacature Artist

And a Grand Giveaway of one Print Artwork by Photographer/Artist Pamela Au.

I'm so thrilled to be launching this project. It is a Project that I am very PASSIONATE about. I have put in alot of work in the last 2+ years. While working for Aloha Airlines I was able to travel free to the outer islands to research, talk to kupuna (elders), lawai'a (fisherman), mahi'ai (farmers) about the Hawaiians and their ingenuity, resourcefulness and determination to not only survive in the most isolated area in the Pacific Ocean, but to thrive. A documentary about a culture that was self-sustainable. This is a GREEN-ECO (whatever you want to call it) project that I am determined to complete.

I hope that you who are reading this will feel my passion and determination, and assist me by supporting me here on this website and spreading the word.

Malama pono (take care),
Mahalo ke akua (thank you God),

mahalo nui loa (thank you very much!)

Nalani Hao

To Celebrate the Official Launch of this Kickstarter Campaign, I have a special offer to all Supporters.

Beginning March 1, 2010 at 12am (Monday) a free ebook will given to each contributor. Last day for the FREE ebook offer is March 8, 2010 (Monday) at 12pm. After you pledge here, message your email address through this website and you will receive the ebook via email.

**Contributions to this project are not credited to your credit/debit card until the project is successful, April 1, 2010. Should it not be successfull your account will not be charged. But you will still receive the ebook via email address after you enter your pledge.