We may be six thousand miles from Waikiki with nary a palm tree in sight, but nevertheless, on Friday, May 19th Pacifika 2006: The New York Hawaiian Film Festival will open in non-tropical Greenwich Village. Pacifika 2006 is sponsored by the non profit Hawaii Cultural Foundation (HCF) in collaboration with NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Department of Film and Television and the Asian/Pacific/American Institute. The goal of the festival is to present works that explore questions of history, human rights and identity of Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. The festival celebrates the many accomplishments of these indigenous film and video artists by introducing them to New York audiences.

The opening night film is the award-winning documentary, Keepers of the Flame: The Cultural Legacy of Three Hawaiian Women, by legendary Hawaiian musician, author and filmmaker Eddie Kamae who made the film with the help of his producer/wife, Myrna Kamae. The short bio-pic Steven Mai’i, directed by Kaliko Palmeira, will also debut.

A post-screening party will follow with “Pacifika-rim" cuisine and a live musical performance by the Hawaiian father and son duo of Steven Mai’i and Kaliko Palmeira. Attendees will also be treated to a special musical interlude by one of Hawaii’s favorite sons, Eddie Kamae.

On Saturday, May 20th and Sunday May 21st, two noteworthy documentaries about legendary Hawaiian waterman will have their New York premieres: Duke Kahanamoku: Hawai`i’s Soul and Eddie Aikau: Hawaiian Hero, both produced by Phil Arnone. The third documentary will also be shown: Words, Earth & Aloha: The Sources of Hawaiian Music, by directors Eddie and Myrna Kamae. Words explores the roots of Hawaiian music and culture.

Pacifika 2006 will also offer a block-printing workshop by award-winning artist and author, Caren Loebel-Fried (Hawaiian Legends of the Guardian Spirits), and a book-signing by Eddie Kamae (of his autobiography Hawaiian Son: The Life and Music of Eddie Kamae). DVDs and CDs will also be available for purchase and autograph.

On Sunday evening May 21st, Pacifika 2006 will close a full weekend of films and performances with the award-winning film, Sons of Hawaii: A Sound, A Band, A Legend, directed and produced by Eddie and Myrna Kamae. A Pa’ina (party) will follow featuring live Hawaiian music and local food provided by the popular island eatery, L & L Hawaiian Barbecue.

Screenings will be held at the Cantor Film Center (36 East 8th Street) and the NYU Tisch Film & Television Theaters (721 Broadway), with workshops taking place at the American Indian Community House (708 Broadway).

Tickets for film screenings are $8-10 for general admission ($6-8 for HCF members). For reservations and information, call (212) 966-3378 or go to the Hawaii Cultural Foundation website at: www.Hawaiiculturalfoundation.org.