Manaʻolana Team
The Crew Behind the Fest
Makaʻi Fest is not put on for veterans — it is produced by them. Every promotion, landmark story, and festival moment is crewed by veterans of the Manaʻolana Media Training Initiative. This is their story.
Training Journey
Where it starts: cultural grounding, storyboarding, and the first time picking up a camera. A short narrative of the early weeks of the program goes here.
Production Days
On location and hands-on with the gear — shooting, recording, and capturing the people and places of Keʻehi. A short narrative of production days goes here.
Mentorship & Support
No one creates alone. Trainers, cultural practitioners, peers, and veteran-serving partners walk alongside each participant. A short narrative of the support network goes here.
Producing as a Veteran
From trainee to crew. The team now carries Manaʻolana Project commissions end to end — landmark stories across the moku, event promotions, partner pieces, and the annual gathering itself. Reflections on creative courage and owning the credit go here.
See What the Team Is Producing
Commissioned stories across the moku of Oʻahu — mapped mauka to makai — leading to the milestone gathering at the Honolulu Civic Center & Kakaʻako.