This past year, Waiākea began a partnership with the Hawai'i International Film Festival and we are excited to announce that we'll once again be sponsoring the local non-profit organization’s 42nd festival as the Official Water of HIFF.
"We are so excited to partner once again with Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water as the Official Water Sponsor of the Hawai'i International Film Festival (HIFF). As a leading film festival showcasing environmental and sustainable programming, a partnership with Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water was a perfect fit as they are leading the way by providing clean water, educational programs and conservation efforts. We look forward to working together for years to come." - Gianni Minga, Director of Partnerships
Waiākea is also a presenting sponsor of THROUGH THE DOGGY DOOR, which is part of the Festival's Surf Showcase this year.
This film revolves around the story of Sheldon Paishon, a talented surfer who was born and raised on the rugged shores of Oahu’s Westside. Far from an idyllic Hawaiian paradise, the community has been ravaged by drugs, poverty and the long reverberations of colonialism. At the age of 12, Sheldon’s parents lost their house and the family was homeless, living out of a tent for the remainder of Sheldon’s adolescence. With a deep drive to overcome all odds and live out his dream of professional surfing, Sheldon battles through the harsh realities of being homeless. Eventually he is taken under the wing of popular pro surfer Mason Ho, who recognizes his immense talent and helps guide him through a world he’s seen very little of.
Can Sheldon capitalize on the opportunities afforded him and become a pro surfer or will the relentless pull of poverty be too much to overcome? This film aims to inspire and ignite a deeper conversation about the realities of homelessness, the struggle of poverty in Hawai‘i and the importance of self-belief and will power.
THROUGH THE DOGGY DOOR can bee seen live on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island:
- Oahu - November 9th at Consolidated Theatres Kapolei (7:00pm) and 12th at Consolidated Theatres Kahala (3:30pm)
- Maui - November 18th at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (7:00pm)
- Big Island - November 19th at Palace Theatre in Hilo (5:30pm)
Watch the trailer for THROUGH THE DOGGY DOOR now and click here to learn more about about the HIFF and this year’s Festival.