HANALEI — Josh Thome, mastermind behind the film “Aina,” which was shown at Waipa Sunday evening, said the film is more relevant now than when it was released a year ago.
That’s because the movie deals with the issue of pesticide use on Kauai.
“On June 15, Kauai’s pesticide disclosure bill goes to the federal appeals court for a hearing,” Thome said. “It’s a super key time for the people of Kauai to see if they have a voice in protecting the health and environment of their communities.”
The film features several of Kauai’s own — kumu Sabra Kauka, for example, makes an appearance in “Aina.”
“That theme of malama aina, taking care of the Earth, that resonated with me,” Kauka said.
The showing of the 23-minute film was the culmination of the Sunday Funday at Waipa in Hanalei, which started around 2 p.m. The event offered water slides and games for the kids and other entertainment, as well as information on Bill 2491, the pesticide disclosure bill.
Carma Wallace of Princeville said she brought her kids, William and Elizabeth, for the waterslide, but she was also there in support of Bill 2491.
“It seems we should know what’s being sprayed around us,” Wallace said. “And the fact that the bill was met with a lawsuit tells me that they have something to hide.”
Annik Boiven, a producer from Canada who was attending the event, said she was there mainly for the film.
“The first time I saw ‘Aina’ it gave me goosebumps,” Boiven said. “This is a brilliant film.”
Just before the showing of “Aina,” Fern Rosenstiel, who is currently running for the Hawaii State House District 14, brought everyone up to speed on the status of Bill 2491, which will be heard in the 9th Circuit Court on June 15 in Oahu.
Rosenstiel also gave an update on the final draft of the Joint Fact Finding report on pesticide use by agribusiness on Kauai, which is expected to be released on Wednesday.
“I’ve been leading a group that’s working on negotiating with the governor about implementing their recommendations statewide,” Rosenstiel said. “In our last meeting, he said he’d like to wait until the final draft was released before he made any commitments.”
Once the final draft is released, Rosenstiel said she anticipates having another meeting with Gov. David Ige, and that she’s “hopeful he moves quickly to protect the community.”
