'Whale Rider' helps anti-drug campaign
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer
A movie about a Maori girl coming of age has become a vehicle for an anti-drug message that will be delivered to 500 O'ahu residents today in a free showing arranged by City Councilman MIke Gabbard.
The viewers will include clients, substance abusers and at-risk students from more than a dozen treatment facilities and other institutions on O'ahu.
While the story line of "Whale Rider" is not about conquering drugs, Gabbard said it sends a message of hope that's so strong, it will motivate people who are struggling to overcome chemical dependence.
"It is a movie about people coming to grips with living in the modern world, yet retaining their culture," he said.
The councilman said he got the idea after visiting with counselors and recovering drug addicts at a couple of O'ahu substance abuse treatment centers. One of these was Ho'omau Ke Ola, which incorporates Hawaiian culture into its rehabilitation program.
Gabbard said that later, when he went to see "Whale Rider" with his wife, Carol, and daughter Davan, 19, the three of them found the film to be so uplifting that he concluded: "We've got to get these people to see this to underscore and reinforce what they are learning."
He said showing the film to such a target group "is definitely tied in with the ice problem" plaguing Hawai'i. Gabbard said he got in touch with Glenn Yim, vice president of operations for Consolidated Theatres, and told him his idea.
"He said, 'Mike, that sounds great. We'll help you out. We'll give you 350 tickets, and I'll even throw in the popcorn and sodas.' "
Originally, the plan was to show the film on two screens. But Gabbard returned to tell Yim that the response had been overwhelming and all the tickets had been given away, with even more people wanting to come. In response, Consolidated added a third screen and 150 more tickets.
"Whale Rider," which has received international accolades, is the story of the conflict between a young Maori girl and her grandfather, who loves the girl but refuses to acknowledge her natural leadership abilities because she's not a male.
Native Hawaiian clients are a primary target group of Ho'omau Ke Ola because of the high incidence of drug abuse among that population, said Momi Cruz-Losano, cultural coordinator with Ho'omau.
"By infusing culture in their treatment, we've been able to reach them better and they've been able to open up and become willing to participate in recovery," added Cruz-Losano, who will be taking 38 clients and staff to see "Whale Rider."
"Hopefully this movie, by addressing cultural values, will show our clients a little bit about how that can affect our life today."
Poe Sva'ava III, a counselor for at-risk students at Wai'anae High School, said he will be taking from 15 to 17 students to see the film. He said neither he nor his students have seen "Whale Rider," but he has heard that the film is powerful.
"The Maori culture is a Polynesian culture, as are the Samoan and Hawaiian cultures," said Sva'ava, who is from Samoa, has traveled to New Zealand and is familiar with Maori traditions.
"So, we should all feel connected."
Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8038.
