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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 11:30 a.m., Monday, August 13, 2007

Maui folks can contribute to Patsy Mink documentary

The Maui News

HONOLULU — Five years after the death of U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, an award-winning documentarian is asking Maui residents for photos and documents illustrating the life and times of the congressional trailblazer during her early years at Hamakuapoko.

Tentatively titled "Ahead of the Majority," the documentary film will trace Mink's life from her humble beginnings at H'Poko to her groundbreaking work in the halls of Congress, The Maui News reported.

Having already interviewed congressional dignitaries, classmates and family members, the film's producers hope to collect photos and information depicting plantation life in the early 20th century, such as camp scenes, planting operations and anything specifically pertaining to Mink's childhood.

"We're trying to tell the greater story of Hawaii through her story," said filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford. "This is an opportunity here to revisit history."

Bassford, an Oahu native and Harvard graduate, has received a number of awards for her work.

Her earlier documentaries have appeared on National Public Television and at the Cannes Film Festival.

Bassford's production company, Making Waves Films, is producing the picture with major funding from the State of Hawaii and support from corporate donors.

The film is in post-production, going through the editing process. Bassford hopes to finish by December, with a premiere in February and national broadcast on PBS next fall.

For more information or to contribute personal photos or documents, contact Seabury Hall Librarian Linda Lindsay at 264-3913 or log on to www.making wavesfilms.com/patsy.htm.

All photos and documents will be scanned and returned. Contributors to the video must also sign a television release, granting permission for the use of the materials in the documentary.

For more Maui news, visit The Maui News.