American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawai'i Bluestocking Films (54 min) American Aloha is a documentary film exploration of what it means to be Hawaiian in California. The Kumu Hulas of three different immigrant Hawaiian communities serve as the central characters. They speak about the challenge of community building, conflicted allegiances, the divide between traditionalists and innovators, and the search for ways to preserve identity and culture through the teaching of Hula as “a way of life.” Each Kumu Hula has found a way to build and sustain community through the transmission of the values that are linked to this specific dance practice, while reinterpreting, and in some cases, completely reinventing that practice for a generation that was born far from its origins. Sissy Kaio, of Hula Halau O Lilinoe, Mark Keali’I Ho’omalu of Na Mele Hula ‘Ohana, and Patrick Makuakane of Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu allow the camera into their homes, rehearsal studios, community gatherings, dance competitions, and concert halls to reveal the day-to-day challenges of being at the center of a vibrant immigrant community. Television Broadcast on PBS’ documentary series “POV” on August 5, 2003 The highest-rated program of POV’s season with over 3.5 million viewers Featured on CNN and NPR’s series ‘Fresh Air.’ Awards: Nominated Film - Best Dance Documentary, Dance Screen 2002 – Monaco Won a CINE Golden Eagle Award, Spring 2004 Directors: Evann Siebens and Lisette Flannery Producers: Evann Siebens and Lisette Flannery Cinematographer: Mark Eby Initial Grant Received by Mark Eby and Evann Siebens from NIPAD Funding: ITVS (Independent Television Service), POV (Point of View), AMDOC, PIC (Pacific Islanders in Communications), NEA (National Endowment for the Arts), (New York State Council on the Arts), NIPAD (National Initiative to Preserve America’s Dance), the Gerbode Foundation, the McBrien Kaufmann Foundation & the Biddle Foundation. Distribution: CustomFlix & NetFlix