Hānau Ka Mele will receive a free first-look screening on Hawaiʻi Island, inviting the community to celebrate the ties between mele, ʻāina, and the stories that define local identity.
Cinematically filmed across Hawaiʻi Island, the 30-minute original series from Nā Leo TV explores how music, people, place, and moʻolelo intersect, highlighting the ways mele carries history, identity, and aloha through generations.
The debut episode spotlights The Lim Family, who perform original compositions at locations that inspired their songs or hold deep personal meaning.
The community screening is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Kahilu Theatre. After the episode, members of The Lim Family will share reflections on the stories behind their performances and discuss their experience with the production.
Admission is free, but seating is limited. Attendees are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance through the Kahilu Theatre website.
“We created ‘Hānau Ka Mele’ to honor the people and places that give our music its deepest meaning,” said Ashley Kierkiewicz, president and CEO of Nā Leo TV. “The Lim Family have inspired generations through music, hula, and a deep love for Hawaiʻi. Their songs are rooted in place, and through them they preserve stories, strengthen identity, and remind us that culture is something we continue to live every day. It is a privilege to share this beautiful first episode with the community.”
Hānau Ka Mele anchors Future Archives Project
The series is part of Nā Leo TV’s Future Archives Project, a multimedia effort to document Hawaiʻi Island’s living cultural legacy. The project preserves stories today to ensure access for future generations. Support for the program was provided by the Kosasa Foundation.
Directed by David Alvarez, Nā Leo TV’s director of production, Hānau Ka Mele was created with contributions from the station’s team and community collaborators. The inaugural season includes two parts, featuring The Lim Family and Mark Yamanaka.
Episodes will air on Nā Leo TV Channel 54 throughout August and will be available to stream on the Nā Leo TV website beginning Thursday, Aug. 6.
The series continues the Future Archives Project’s commitment to safeguarding cultural narratives from Hawaiʻi Island for the years ahead. For more on the station’s recent efforts, see Nā Leo TV workshops to boost community storytelling skills.
