HAWAII – A feature length documentary about kalo and Hawaiian culture has only a few more hours to get the money it needs to fund the film.

There are plans to do some of the filming on Hawaii Island. Producer and cinematographer Vince Keala Lucero explains…

Producers have enlisted the help of numerous chefs and farmers, like poi-ponding activist Daniel Anthony and chef Lee Anne Wong, who recently spent time on the Big Island cooking up pig during the Cochon 555 culinary tour.

Producers say the film tells the story of three Kamehameha high school seniors who are embarking on a journey of self-discovery as they travel throughout the Hawaiian Islands to gain a better understanding of their culture. For 90 days they will commit to cultivating, harvesting and eating kalo (taro) for three meals a day: the Hāloa challenge.

The title “I am Hāloa” reffers to the Hawaiian Creation Story told in the Kumulipo.

To make the idea a reality, producers are turning to Kickstarter to crowd source the needed funding. They’ve gotten a lot of backing so far, but with just over 40 hours to go they were only about half way to their goal of $77,000.

You can find the link to the campaign under the I Am Hāloa profile on Kickstarter.com.

still frame from I Am Haloa promotional video, used with permission