The Story of Everything Film Premieres at 42nd Hawai‘i International Film Festival 2022

We are thrilled to announce the premiere of The Story of Everything, Hawai‘i Poet Laureate Kealoha’s epic multimedia exploration of the universe, the earth, and human consciousness, at The 42nd Hawai‘i International Film Festival, November 4, 7:00 p.m. at Bishop Museum on their great lawn! A pre-show will include live performances by Kealoha and internationally acclaimed Slack Key guitarist, singer, composer, philosopher, activist and one of Hawai‘i’s cultural ambassadors to the world, Makana, with oli by Kumu Hula Kau‘i Kanaka‘ole. There will also be a The Story Of Everything Education Session on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 9:30 am at the Consolidated Theatres on the Kahala Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave, Honolulu. Tickets for both may be purchased at HIFF.

Neighbor island screenings, with special appearances by Kealoha, include the Palace Theater in Hilo on Hawai‘i Island, November 18; Maui Arts & Cultural Center on  Maui, November 19; and Waimea Theatre on Kaua‘i, November 20. Please see HIFF’s website for screening times.

Created as a gift for his son, The Story of Everything is Kealoha’s way of exploring humanity’s rich and diverse explanations for the origins of life. A founder of the famed Hawai‘i Slam and an MIT nuclear physics graduate, Kealoha says that, “The Story of Everything is my most important work and is the culmination of everything that I have learned throughout life. It took me half of my life to study the science behind this piece, half of my life to study the art of poetry and storytelling, and then about half a decade to actually create this work.”

The finished film has been long anticipated! The Story of Everything took root in Kealoha’s mind in 2011 when he learned he was going to be a new father and wondered how to pass on his knowledge and beliefs. How could he explain to his child about the universe, the earth and the living beings on her, making all the scientific details interesting and easy to understand? In 2014, Kealoha received support through the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Pilot Community Inspiration Program to write an hour-long performance piece to help youth learn where we come from, using musicians, performers, and visual artists, and used this opportunity to flesh out his vision. Over the course of several years Engaging the Senses Foundation produced and directed The Story of Everything film, completing it in early 2022.

In the film, Kealoha and his talented cast of dancers and musicians take us a journey through the Stars and the Big Bang, into our Solar System, and on to a deeper understanding of our Planet based on the beautiful Kumulipo creation story. We unfold our minds to tales of human Evolution, travel with our ancestors along the Migration path, and come to a place, in the film’s final scene, where we are asked to face the dangers of a world impacted by rapid climate change, but also gain new hope about the real ways in which we can still cherish and protect our beautiful Earth.

“Our film honors our commitment to engage the senses through poetry and all of the arts in order to help promote equality, social justice, environmental awareness and compassion in local communities and around the world,” said Mona Abadir, Chief Executive Officer of Engaging the Senses Foundation. Our profound gratitude goes out to Kealoha; Kau‘i Kanaka‘ole; virtuoso and songwriter Taimane, best known for her inventive style of playing the ukulele; dancers Jamie Nakama, Jonathan Clarke Sypert, and Jory Horn, musicians Eli Clemens, Aaron Friedman, Jonathan Heraux, and Sreedaran Sadagopan of the Quadraphonix, and visionary artist Solomon Enos. Their talents and heartfelt energies brought to life a film and story that is offered as a gift to the world!

Please visit The Story of Everything to learn more and to view the TSOE trailer and behind the scenes video.

Engaging the Senses Foundation is a presenting sponsor of HIFF42

View the 1 minute video about Engaging the Senses Foundation