When filmmaker, musician Joseph Trivagno first came to the islands in 2006, he landed in Honolulu dumbstruck by concrete and traffic. “I was in a restaurant and asked this guy, ‘Hey, where’s the real Hawai‘i?’ And he said, ‘You gotta
When filmmaker, musician Joseph Trivagno first came to the islands in 2006, he landed in Honolulu dumbstruck by concrete and traffic.
“I was in a restaurant and asked this guy, ‘Hey, where’s the real Hawai‘i?’ And he said, ‘You gotta walk 11 miles on the Napali to find it.”
Thus began the Jamaica transplants love affair with the Kalalau Trail, the off-spring of which is a documentary filmed there in spring 2008.
“Drop in Drop Out: 11 Miles to Paradise,” premieres at 7 p.m. today at Waimea Theater. Other shows scheduled are for 7 p.m. Saturday; Oct. 23, 24.
Directed by Trivigno, the one-hour and 40 minute documentary follows two men on their separate journeys along the Kalalau Trail — one in search of healing and the other on a quest for his past. Between interviews with Kalalau locals the camera follows the healing process of two very different men seeking peace on Kalalau. Other interviews include Hawaiian Studies professors from University of Hawai‘i, kumu hula Dana Kaua‘iiki and residents living illegally in the valley.
“I just wanted to document the whole trip for myself. I wanted to write something authentic,” he said. “The movie is driven by music of the people who roam the Napali coast.”
Trivigno invited long time friend, Tony Burnett of Las Vegas, to accompany him on the hike after Burnett suffered the loss of his fiance.
“Joe told me I should join him on his trip because it was a powerful place,” Burnett said. “My personal reason for going was for spiritual help.”
Six feet, six inches tall and weighing in at 340 pounds, this life-time smoker had never hiked before accepting the invitation.
“I hiked very slow,” he said.
For Hawaiian native, Tiki Hironaka of O‘ahu, his reasons for joining Trivagno’s project were driven by family.
“I had made some mistakes,” he said. “This was a quest for me to give back to the land.”
For Burnett one of the highlights of Kalalau was the full-time inhabitants of the valley.
“The best experience was the people who live out there,” he said.
Trivagno attempts to capture the spirit of the place, the people and the song.
“I brought six musicians off the Napali Coast to record 21 original songs and eight chants,” he said. “For me the focus of the film is the people and the music.”
Tickets are $10 pre- sale by calling 702-336-8667 or from Movie Tours, Kapa‘a. Tickets are $15 at the door.
