Pacific Islanders take control of the camera By Craig DeSilva For Saipan Tribune

HONOLULU, Hawaii- —It’s a common scene created by the Hollywood silver screen: Natives dressed in coconut bikini tops and lava lava rush out of their grass huts to greet the white men coming ashore.

Michelle Kamakanoenoe Tupou would like to break through this stereotypical portrayal of Pacific Islanders by allowing indigenous people – not Hollywood – to take control of the camera and tell stories from their own perspective.

“For so long it’s been outsiders telling stories for us,” said Tupou, a lecturer on Pacific Island film at the University of Hawaii.

“It’s time we take control of the camera,” she said. “I think the medium adapts so well to our oral tradition as Pacific Islanders that it seems like
a natural connection between the two.”

Tupou, who received her master’s degree in Pacific Island Studies from UH-Manoa, will be giving a series of lectures in Honolulu entitled “Pacific
Island Film.”

She said films being made by Pacific Islanders about their culture is not only a more accurate portrayal of the issues surrounding an indigenous society, it’s also a reaffirmation of their identity. It’s an issue that Tupou, who is of Caucasian and Hawaiian ancestry, has struggled with throughout her life.

“Pacific Island film making is a medium that captures cultural identity,” she said. “The purpose for a lot of Pacific Island literature, film and theater is cultural identity and finding out who they are as island people.”

She said film is a powerful way to record and preserve stories of indigenous people. By doing so, film makers also become “cultural custodians of our stories.”

“We’re losing our elders who were able to hold on to those stories,” she said. “Film is a good way of capturing those stories that we’re losing and also convey it to a generation that is more media oriented. It’s archival as well as something that will be listened to.”

Although Pacific Islanders have made great strides at producing documentaries, Tupou believes it’s time indigenous people began producing more dramatic films.

One of the most notable examples of this is the 1994 New Zealand film, “Once Were Warriors,” by Maori director Lee Tamahori. This award-winning drama set in urban New Zealand is a gritty portrayal of a modern Maori family’s battle with alcohol, domestic violence, and welfare.

Tupou recently worked on a 30-minute TV movie in New Zealand called “The Overstayer,” in which the producers, director, cast and crew consisted of Pacific Islanders.

However, funding has always served as a barrier for many indigenous filmmakers. Many of the bigger projects usually come out of New Zealand and Australia where, she adds, “the arts are much more supported.”

“There are film commissions and money from Creative New Zealand and TV New Zealand,” she said. “There’s much more financial support. Hawaii is smaller and has less funding agencies here for Pacific Islanders.”

Tupou’s lecture on Pacific Island Film will be March 21 at Kapiolani Community College’s Ohi’a Auditorium in Honolulu.

She will also present lectures at Windward Community College, Honolulu Community College, and UH Hilo. Her talks will include clips of various films. (PIDP/CPIS)