Lono and The Pig

Lono and the Pig is a story inspired both by the rich storytelling traditions of the Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) and my personal experience growing up as a person of mixed heritage. On the one hand, I’ve always been fascinated by ancient myths, particularly those dealing with heroic quests, angry gods, and marvelous monsters. Many of these stories have been brought to the silver screen, especially those of Western origin. But many of the great tales of the Pacific have yet to be adapted. This film aims to elevate the Hawaiian pig-god Kamapua‘a alongside the likes of Hercules and Thor. I owe a great deal to the work of Martha Beckwith, the translations of Lilikalā K. Kame‘ehiwa, the artwork of Dietrich Varez, and others who have labored diligently to preserve these stories. This story, however, is more than a mere retelling. Lono colocates Kamapua‘a within a modern context, reflecting the timeless power of myth. Here, the mischievous shapeshifter represents my own struggle to reconcile a western upbringing with the ancient cultural traditions of Hawai‘i. How do we as individuals define ourselves when we exist betwixt worlds? In an increasingly diverse world, Lono demonstrates that it’s possible to be more than one thing, one culture, one identity.