In "Passing the Gift: Malama Honokowai," filmmaker Kat Tracy documents how in an unusual partnership, developers and concerned Maui citizens are working together to preserve the Hawaiian culture and save native plants.

Tracy follows Ed Lindsey, Jr., a Native Hawaiian educator and cultural activist, who with the group that he organized, Maui Cultural Lands, sets out to save the vast ancient agricultural site in Honokowai Valley.

Lindsey says in the film that instead of fighting with developers, he wanted to be more of a guide to them in order to lead them to want to save more cultural sites.

"Malama Honokowai" was screened at a Saturday matinee at the Maui Film Festival in June, and Tracy said the turnout was good.

"People were touched. It's a heart story and I think people could relate to that," said Tracy, who spent a year creating the 46-minute film.

"As a result of showing the film, people came forward asking how they can help. It's the most rewarding project I've worked on, because it's had an immediate impact on where it matters and that's at home," added Tracy, who has a background in sports television production.

The documentary follows Lindsey and others preserving ancient stones. It also illuminates the problem of native plants being overrun by non-native plants at a frightening rate. As a counterpoint, its depiction of children planting trees gives hope for a more balanced future.

The film receives an award for "Visionary Filmmaking" at the MauiFEST Hawaii Lahaina Film Festival tomorrow. It will also be shown at the Hana Festival on Nov. 5.