This video documents the battle over the water in Waiāhole Ditch on the island of O‘ahu, where taro farmers and long-time residents seek to reclaim the natural stream waters that were taken in the early 1900's by sugar plantations.
Shot on location in the Windward O‘ahu valleys and Waipi‘o valley on Hawai‘i island, Stolen Waters
explores the significance of the deity Kāne and his embodiment of the water/rain cycle; Hawaiian tradition and law regarding water use; native stream life; and the delicate balance between the health of the streams, the health of the ocean and the health of the people.
Featuring
Pualani Kanahele, Calvin Hoe, Liko Hoe, Kawai Hoe, Charlie Reppun, Robert Nishimoto, Kaipo Faris, Kalani Apuakehau, Kia Fronda, Herbert Hoe, John Kilbey and Albert Badiyo.
Produced in cooperation with the Native Hawaiian Advisory Council.
Major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through Pacific Islanders in Communication.
1996
length: 27 minutes
Broadcast/cablecast
PBS stations throughout the U.S., 1998
Hawai’i Public Television, 1997
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network • Canada
Awards
New Visionary Award, Mother Earth/Father Sky category, Two Rivers Native Film & Video Festival • Minneapolis
finalist, EarthVision '98 • Santa Cruz
Screenings
Native American Film and Video Festival, National Museum of the American Indian • New York City
Especially for Kids, National Museum of the American Indian • Washington, D.C.
Video America Indigena (Video Native America) • Mexico
Other America Film Festival • San Antonio
Pacific Island Images Film Festival • Hawai‘i
Pacific Islands Taro Festival • Hawai‘i
