Red carpet rolled out for 'Lilo & Stitch'

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Never has the arrival of an alien created so much excitement and hoopla as it did tonight in Waikiki.

Daveigh Chase, left, who voices Lilo in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," stands with Tia Carrere, who voices Nani, at tonight's red-carpet Hawai'i premiere of the film at the Waikiki Twins theaters. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Dozens of people lined Seaside Avenue to get a glimpse of some of the movie's stars, including local girl Tia Carrere, Jason Scott Lee, and child actress Daveigh Chase, who did the voice of Lilo.

Richard Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, said he was thrilled by the reception and outpouring of support for the film.

"Everything we have done here has been just terrific," Cook said. "The reaction by everyone has really been overwhelming. Everyone has had a really wonderful time."

"Lilo & Stitch" opens nationwide Friday, but a few lucky guests were invited to tonight's sneak preview.

The movie is about a little Hawaiian girl who is raised by her older sister on Kaua'i. Carrere is the voice of the sister, Nani, who is struggling to keep the family together.

Stitch, a mischievous creature, lands his spaceship on the island and Lilo, thinking Stitch is a dog, adopts him. Stitch gets into constant trouble, but with the love and unwavering belief in 'ohana, Lilo gives Stitch the one thing he never had — the ability to care for someone else.

Carrere said the film's creators did a good job of capturing the meaning of "'ohana" and she believes even viewers on the Mainland will understand the idea.

"They really spent time and care in translating the reality of Hawai'i," Carrere said. "I know that when people see this film with their family, they're going to think, 'We have to go to Hawai'i. We want to continue this feeling that we have inside us. We have to be a part of that 'ohana.' "

Lee agreed and said, "there's so much heart in it. They authenticated it really well. The pidgin may not be as hardcore, but you gotta some how communicate the emotions of the story."

Writer and co-director Chris Sanders, who does the voice of Stitch, said he and co-director Dean DeBlois struggled with what would cause Stitch to transform from a rascal to a loving character. But once they understood the true meaning of 'ohana, their problems were solved.

"It really began with the hula," said Sanders, who was invited to a hula event in California before beginning "Lilo & Stitch." "Just seeing the hula, this was a dance of incredible cultural depth. It was there where we realized that we have to be very, very careful to be true to this culture and to give it its due and respect."

Although Lilo's favorite singer is Elvis Presley and the movie features many of his hits, "Lilo & Stitch" also will have Hawaiian music, including songs by Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu.

Singer Henry Kapono Ka'aihue said the movie offers great exposure for local entertainers.

"It brings attention to Hawai'i and it recognizes the music of Hawai'i," said Ka'aihue, who attended the premiere with his daughter, Kaleo. "It creates a good feeling and Hawai'i gets recognized world-wide."