Keali`i’s shows mean much more to him than an entertainment event. They are a responsibility to his Hawaiian culture where he stands beside his ancestors and colleagues to offer a window into his rich heritage.
Since my initial involvement with Keali`i in 1994, I have seen him become one of the finest entertainers I have known. More importantly, his emergence as Hawaiian culture’s most visible emissary…….an ambassador….the messenger of a wonderful and vital civilization that many have misunderstood for so long. He shares his insight and knowledge with his audiences that destroys stereotypes so that more may embrace the traditional language, dress, dance, chant, song, and stories..
For years, through Keali`i’s dedication and retentive perfection, the show has grown continually to a production worthy of any stage in the World.
In 2005, we began toying with the idea of bringing this to a larger audience by capturing one of Keali`i’s “Kükahi” shows in a medium that would match the shows’ high level of production. That would have to be high-definition (then in its embryonic infancy) and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound.
We realized it would be a technically, creatively and financially daunting project. It took us a few tries to get it to where we thought the shoot was good.
Dennis Mahaffay directed the Winner with a great show by Keali`i and crew. Dennis is a truly gifted, creative visionary that guided us through the process and did not relent until the final online edit was made. I cannot say enough about his talents.
The online editor, Steve Szabo, was a creative genius in the editing suite and stuck with us through thick and thin as we made our way through uncharted waters in the unpredictable world of HD DVD and 5.1 Surround.
Hui Kang was our technical director and created a true high definition control room in the backstage as well as the critical hookups and calibration of all cameras and equipment. Without him, the shoot would not have been possible.
The cameramen, Ken Libby, Shawn Hiatt, Ruben Carrillo, Joe Carini and Glen Yamamoto were
Hawai`i’s best, as well as our multi-track audio engineer,
Gaylord Holomalia and offline editor, Daniel Bernadoni.
I took the multi-track audio back to Hollywood to mix the Stereo and 5.1 Dolby Surround with Clark Germain in his Wonderland Studio and we mastered the audio with Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering.
We began the editing July 24th, 2007 and completed it November 9th, 2007 with the final HD technical fixes. During the process, we realized there were opportunities to take the project to a point which would promote Keali`i’s desire to educate while entertaining. The option of both English and Hawaiian subtitles would further the understanding of the performances, as well as provide a tool for students and proponents of the Hawaiian language.
Also, we used a section of a previous shoot to honor Keali`i’s most recent kumu,
Uncle George Holokai in a bonus feature. Finally, is a bonus feature that is a retrospective of Keali`i’s career as edited by Lisa Altieri Sosa.
We now arrive at the presentation of the fruits of our labors and are proud and excited to release the DVD to an international audience with what we feel is a work worthy of Kükahi that will seat you at the concert, 5th row center, and you will walk away with a greater appreciation of this wonderful culture.
