‘Ulu‘ulu: The Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai‘i at the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu examines tourism in Hawai‘i with a presentation of a special film screening and panel discussion at this year’s Hawaiʻi International Film Festival.
The event, “ ‘Ulu‘ulu Moving Image Archive presents: ‘Snapshots of (Over) Tourism in Hawai‘i’,” will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Consolidated Theatres Kahala. Click here for more information and free tickets for the event; space is limited.
“We are so excited because this year marks our 10th year partnering with the Hawai‘i International Film Festival for our annual Archival Screening at HIFF, and our first in-person screening since COVID,” said ‘Ulu‘ulu head archivist Janel Quirante.
This year’s ‘Ulu‘ulu program examines tourism in Hawai‘i, specifically how the image of Hawai‘i was marketed by the tourism industry, and how this same image was experienced by tourists who traveled here in the 1950s, Quirante said.
“The program features archival footage from a tourism promotional film called, ‘Hawai‘i … Never Easier to Sell,” as well as a beautifully preserved amateur travelogue film of O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island shot on color 16mm film circa 1950 by an unknown photographer,” she said.
Quirante continued, “Our hope is that our program will not only be a nostalgic look back at iconic locations across the islands, but also inspire the audience to reflect on the ways Hawai‘i’s image informs how tourists engage with us and how we in turn engage with them.”
The program will also feature live musical accompaniment by Songbirds of Hawai‘i, Karen Keawehawaii and Ku‘uipo Kumukahi.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with the following panelists: Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, former Board Member with Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Director of Hawaiian Culture and Community Relations at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki; Taylour Chang, Director of Public Programs and Community Engagement at Bishop Museum; and Janel Quirante, Head Archivist at ‘Ulu‘ulu. The panel will be moderated by Heather Giugni of ‘Ulu‘ulu.
