The Maui News

Filmmakers and musical artists have joined forces to compose and produce an original mele and music video dedicated to the families impacted by the Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina and Upcountry.

The idea for the project was created out of discussions between Ruben Carrillo of Carrillo Digital and Dawn Kaniaupio of 4 Miles LLC.

“Like everyone else around the world we watched the stories coming out of Maui with great sadness and helplessness,” Kaniaupio said in a news release Monday. “We saw leaders emerge in the community, and we were comforted by the hope and resilience of the people of Maui and everyone who jumped in to support in anyway they could. We wanted to do something to help everyone in their healing process.”

The “E Ola Maui” music video was filmed on location throughout Maui with mele composers like Kalena Parish, Kimie Miner, Cody Pueo Pata, Joshua Kahula and Kala’e Parish, as well as artists like Henry Kapono, Brother Noland, Amy Hanaiali’i, Tavana, Lopaka Colon, Wailau Ryder and Lahaina’s own Kawelau Palakiko and members of the Lahainaluna football team. The sound design was by Imua Garza and the video was edited by Carrillo.

“We thought it was important to spend time with families that wanted to share what they had been through and how they were finding the courage to persevere,” Carrillo said in a news release. “This led to gathering with composers from Hawai’i, O’ahu, and Maui, and listening while cameras were rolling.”

After an emotional day, Parish said, “We all left inspired to put this mana into this mele.”

The video will premiere Saturday on Spectrum OC16 during the 7:30 p.m. broadcast of the varsity football game between Lahainaluna and Kamehameha Maui. Following the broadcast, the music video will be released on social media at 10 a.m. Sunday.

For more information, go to www.eolamaui.com.