Writer and Director Christopher Kahunahana’s “Waikiki” shatters the myth and fantasy of Waikiki, Hawaii held by many. The opening scene features a massive cruise ship arriving and the closing scene a cruise ship departing. Beautiful Hawaiian scenery weaves in and out of the film.
The opening scene also includes happy Hawaiian hula dancers performing for tourists singing, “Magic of the Sea….Magic of Waikiki”. The gringos soak it up and viewers may groan at its corniness and sap laden lyrics but watching it just before the concluding credit rolls it becomes somewhat of a mockery of both the tourist and the myth of Waikiki.
Kea (Danielle Zalopany) in an abusive relationship with a short tempered and violent boyfriend Branden (Jason Quinn) works three jobs but still can’t afford a rental accommodation. Like Venice tourism has made living space intolerably expensive for locals. Living in a battered van in Paradise is that possible? It sure is as Waikiki hides its grit from tourists but Kea takes us through it and it could in sections be Skid Row Los Angeles.
After hitting a homeless man named Wo (Peter Shinkoda) in her van she drags him off the side of the road. He stinks, barely speaks but Kea, in mythical fashion embarks on a Ulyssean voyage with Wo that incorporates fragments of her tortured childhood and the incredible beauty of the Waikiki surroundings.
Director Kahunahana has made his point exposing the myth of Waikiki. For one of those travelers that avoids and despises the cruise ship mobs the film is simplistic but what frightens me is that many may miss the point of the film. Perhaps they are in a hurry to pig out on the cruise ship’s midnight buffet attended by the obese on their scooters.
Zalopany, Quinn and Shinkoda earn their paycheques in this film.
The film was released in theatres on October 27 and On Demand November 5.
You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/859551708
RKS 2023 Film Rating 83/100.
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