$hithole Paradise
Melina Kiyomi Coumas
2:37 min
2020
United States
Experimental, Short FIlm
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KWALHIA SELECTION : A SIRIUS TRANS/MISSIONS
A comment on over-tourism in Hawaii, particularly along the historic Waikiki strip in Honolulu. Once a powerful, sacred place for Native Hawaiians, now a dirty playground for tourists. Shot on Super 8mm film.
Growing up on O'ahu, Melina remembers the ocean waters to be clear and pristine. In the past few decades she has seen tourists overrun her home island, killing local habitats and coral reefs that she used to enjoy exploring as a child. This film was shot over two days in 2019 but during 2021 when the pandemic was still raging, it was 10x worst than what you see in this short.