“It was such an honor & privilege for my family and I to experience our proud Polynesian culture,” Johnson wrote. “I had goosebumps covering my body all day, as every Polynesian performer bared their SOUL with PRIDE & MANA (and many tears) to illuminate our CULTURE. And in a proud dad moment – the best part of the visit was seeing my two little girls stand tall and proud all day ~ even though sometimes the ENERGY of our Polynesian culture can be very scary to little kids 😊 My little ones just knew in their hearts, that this is who they are. Who they were born to be. And these are our people. Fa’afetai tele lava and thank you to the ENTIRE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER AIGA for making our visit truly unforgettable.”
about the film
This 95-minute feature documentary dives behind the scenes for a rare look into one of Hawaii’s most popular (and least understood) tourist stops… It’s a backstage, unscripted exploration of what it means for young Pacific Islanders to preserve and pass on the culture of their ancestors even as the winds of tourism in Hawai’i (both over-tourism, and the pushback against it) shift and change, potentially threatening the foundation upon which they stand — and dance, chant and (sometimes nail-bitingly) perform.
It follows characters each standing at a crossroads: a young dancer struggling with his body image… another walking the razor-fine line between family obligations and performance expectations… a leader who shines onstage but is unsure of her place off it… and a star performer trying to prove to his parents that he’s not a failure after all.
“Sharing Aloha” explores what it means to seek out your place in the world when one audition determines the role you’ll play in determining how — and if — you and your culture are seen at all.
Producer/Director Blair Treu
Blair Treu is a DGA director/producer with a global portfolio spanning feature films, TV, documentaries, and corporate projects. He’s worked with top talent, earning industry awards. His credits include Disney Channel films, “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” “Little Secrets,” “Power Rangers,” “Meet the Mormons” (a top-grossing documentary), and the Book of Mormon Series. His latest project, “Sharing Aloha,” releases August 29th.
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“The world premiere of ‘Sharing Aloha’ drew local celebrities and plenty of laughter and tears”, reported LDS Living. “This new documentary by the director of “Meet the Mormons” colorfully and emotionally captures the literal, educational and emotional development journeys of the students who join the cast at the PCC and perform 19 hours a week to support their schooling.” Currently the movie is collecting laurels on the film festival circuit and will be in theaters soon.
The Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu relaunched its water show “Huki: A Canoe Celebration” at its freshwater lagoon. The performance was suspended since 2020 because of the pandemic.
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A star performer who shines in the spotlight… but his journey to stand before thousands of audience members each night started in some very dark and lonely places. Just how far does he need to go, literally and figuratively, for his family to be proud of him?
Performs – on stage, and off – with a lightness and joy that’s hiding a deep, aching pain. The emotional heart of the show, every step she takes in front of the public eye takes her further away from what (and who) she really wants.
Isn’t sure where, or if, she belongs. A quiet introvert still searching for her voice, it’s not entirely clear if she has what it takes to be on stage in the first place – or what that place should be.
A walking tightrope… On one side, the mother who sacrificed everything for him; on the other, a world that’s widening the enormous cultural and economic gulf between them. Will being a student performer drive him even further away from his roots?
Surrounded by performers with massive bodies and even bigger personalities, is carrying an additional weight on his slight frame: his father was a dancer on the very same stage. How can he keep the heavy burden of expectations and self-doubt from crushing him?
Facing cultural norms head-on, fighting for her place in a male-dominated sport. But what’s driving her to the kind of young woman who picks up a knife and sets it on fire in the first place?
More from Blair Treu
A Bridge to China
After a 13-year run in scripted television and features, Blair ventured into documentary film beginning with Bridge to China; the story of a group of young performers from China who find common ground with their US counterparts through the arts. This film is produced by Treu Entertainment and is distributed by BYUtv and has been seen by millions over its 15-year uninterrupted run.
BYUtv
Chicken Soup for the Soul
With an all-star cast of Emmy and Academy Award-winners, Blair helmed 18 episodes of Chicken Soup For The Soul for PAXTV. This uplifting anthology series stars Edward Asner, Mickey Rooney, Shelley Long, Paula Abdul, Stacy Keach, Sheena Easton, Earnest Borgnine, Ray Walston, Andrew Dice Clay, and many others.
(Series) PAXTV
Full Circle
Treu Entertainment launched its second full-length documentary; Full Circle. A chain of unforeseen events which began over 30 years ago, brings together two groups of dancers; one from the United States and the other from China, who must perform together despite language barriers, with very little rehearsal time. Circle continues to run on BYUtv in the standard broadcast rotation, and VOD streaming.
BYUtv
Granite Flats
Blair returns to episodic scripted television directing Christopher Lloyd and Parker Posey in this 1950’s period tale; Granite Flats. Set in a quaint Colorado town, a small group of young friends, under the strain of the Cold War, with secret agents from the KGB and FBI swarming all around, uncover the truth behind mysterious goings-on. This series is currently available on Netflix.
BYUtv
Just Like Dad
Blair’s feature directorial debut, Just Like Dad stars Wallace Shawn (Princess Bride) and Nick Cassavetes. This family drama premiered on The Disney Channel and was originally distributed by Warner Home Video. “Dad” also won Blair his first of three subsequent Crystal Heart Awards at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis.
The Disney Channel
Little Secrets
Starring Evan Rachel Wood and Vivica Fox became Blair’s first feature as a producer/director. The film earned Blair his third Crystal Heart Award along with the top prize; Best Studio Feature at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis. Secrets, distributed by Columbia Tri Star Pictures, becomes available in all major markets worldwide and still airs today via multiple television and VOD outlets.
Columbia TriStar Pictures Distribution
Meet the Mormons
For the first time, Blair executive produced, wrote and directed a theatrically released documentary; Meet The Mormons. Now a series, “Mormons,” highlights the daily lives of six extraordinarily ordinary Mormon families from around the world and attempts to answer questions about faith, failures, and triumph. The film immediately breaks into the top-10 theatrically in its opening weekend and now resides in the top 40 highest grossing documentary films of all-time! Meet the Mormons became one of the longest-running documentary films on Netflix where it still runs today.
Purdie Distribution
Phantom of the Megaplex
Blair directs the Disney Channel Original TV Movie; Phantom of the Megaplex staring Academy and Emmy award-winning Mickey Rooney and newcomer Taylor Handley. Over time, Phantom becomes a perennial Halloween favorite on the channel and boasts an uninterrupted run that spans two decades.
Walt Disney Pictures
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy — Return of the Magna Defender
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy – Return of the Magna Defender marks the year in which Blair ventures into the Fantasy/Super-Hero genre. Planet earth’s most popular teen superheroes have hyper-blasted their way to adventure aboard the space colony, Terra Venture. This movie, produced by Saban Entertainment was originally distributed by 20 Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Saban
Real Families Real Answers
Treu Entertainment, in partnership with BYUtv launched Real Families, Real Answers, a 13-part series that explores the difficult realities of family life and how relationships between parents, siblings and in-laws can be fostered in a way that builds resiliency. Due to its relevance and popularity, Families continues in re-runs for over 12 years.
BYUtv
