Maui Public Art Corps, in collaboration with the County of Maui and Lahaina Restoration Foundation, is proud to present a reprise of the Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā Film Festival on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM at ProArts Playhouse in Kīhei. This free public event invites the community to experience a collection of animated short films that celebrate the rich history, culture, and sense of place of Lāhainā.

The films are the result of the Hui Mo‘olelo program, a partnership among the County of Maui, Maui Public Art Corps, Lahaina Restoration Foundation, and Cultural Consultant Sissy Lake-Farm. Through this initiative, storytellers are paired with intergenerational partners to record memories rooted in special sites throughout Maui County. Lāhainā-focused audio recordings served as the foundation for a 2024 call to artists to translate these stories into public art.

The resulting animated shorts feature the voices of Lāhainā community members, including Jennifer Freeland and her father Haines Burt Freeland; Louis Garcia III and Kaliko Storer; Teva Medeiros and his grandfather Timothy Medeiros Sr.; Coach Earle Kukahiko and Kaliko Storer; Abraham “Snake” Ah Hee and Myrna Ah Hee; Reverend Gensho Hara and his daughter Yayoi Hara; Sally Ann Delos Reyes and Lopaka White; and Theo Morrison, Executive Director of Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

“The Hui Mo‘olelo program has been so nourishing,” shares Anuhea Yagi, Student of Hawaiian Life Ways and program facilitator. “One of the great gifts was the opportunity to connect with others and share freely. It was astounding to see each person express themselves uniquely and relate to others in ways that created new connections.”

Theo Morrison, Executive Director of Lahaina Restoration Foundation, adds, “These animated stories celebrate the heart of Lāhainā — its people, culture, and enduring spirit. We’re honored to bring them back to the community and continue encouraging our kūpuna to share the memories and wisdom that shape Lāhainā’s identity.”

Kelly White, Chair of Maui Public Art Corps and Manager of the County of Maui’s Public Art Program, notes, “This reprise is about more than revisiting the films; it’s about continuing the conversation. By gathering to listen, reflect, and share, we strengthen the bonds that define Lāhainā."

The 2025 Hui Mo‘olelo Film Festival will be emceed by Kalapana Kollars, Cultural Programs Director at Lahaina Restoration Foundation. The event will feature a collection of animated films, each between 3 to 15 minutes in length and a Q&A session with the storytellers. Seating is limited to the first 120 attendees; early arrival is recommended to ensure a seat.

For more information and to RSVP, please visit mauipublicart.org/events.

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