VIDEO: The award-winning documentary ‘Lahaina Rising’ is showing at United Nations Headquarters this week. The documentary tells the story of the August 2023 wildfire that devastated Lahaina and highlights longstanding issues of indigenous sovereignty, access to water, and land stewardship.
The story is being shared at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Friday. “It’s surreal, for sure. I don’t take this kuleana lightly at all,” Paele Kiakona said.
Kiakona, representing the Nation of Hawaii and featured in the film, spoke at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on Tuesday, drawing connections between Lahaina and indigenous communities worldwide.
“Many know our homeland as the 50th state of the United States, but we know it as the Nation of Hawaii,” Kiakona said. “I’m here today to represent my hometown of Lahaina, which in August of 2023 was devastated by wildfire. Lahaina, once the Capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom, now has the reputation as the place where the deadliest wildfire in recent U.S. history took place.”
By his side was De Andre Makakoa, a filmmaker who lost his home in the inferno. Makakoa said the film is a call to action. “Nobody should be waiting until disaster strikes to be engaged in trying to make their community a better place,” Makakoa said.
