Watch Kuleana

Kuleana is a heartwarming and captivating drama film that was released in 2017. It is a story about a man named Joseph, who returns to his home state of Hawaii after being away for many years. Joseph must confront a complicated past that includes his estranged father, a dark secret, and a mysterious woman with ties to his family's past.

The movie stars Moronai Kanekoa as the lead character, Joseph, who is a retired detective. He returns to his small town in Hawaii to deal with personal issues that have been haunting him for years. Joseph has been away for many years, and upon his return, he discovers that his father has passed away. He then starts to dig deeper into his own family history to understand the reason why his father left him and his mother when he was young.

Kristina Anapau plays the character of Liliana, an enigmatic woman whom Joseph meets upon his return to Hawaii. Liliana is a local journalist who is determined to uncover some of the island's darkest secrets. She becomes Joseph's ally in his search for the truth about his past. Along with Liliana, Joseph also reconnects with his childhood friend, Ku, played by Aaron Mahi. Ku now runs a local fishing business and is happy to see his old friend after so many years.

Sonya Balmores portrays the character of Anela, Joseph's childhood sweetheart whom he left behind when he moved away. Anela is now married to the island's powerful landowner and developer, Victor Coyle, played by Stefan C. Schaefer. Anela and Joseph's reunion is bittersweet as they both know that their love is forbidden. Despite this, Anela is torn between her feelings for Joseph and her loyalty to her husband, who is determined to keep the island's secrets buried.

The movie's plot centers around the concept of Kuleana, a Hawaiian term that means responsibility, obligation, and privilege. Joseph must come to terms with his kuleana to his family, his community, and his love for Anela. He confronts his own shortcomings and the mistakes of his past, all while trying to reconcile with his estranged father's memory.

Kuleana is a beautifully shot and well-acted movie that showcases the beauty of Hawaii's landscapes, culture, and traditions. The movie's soundtrack features original compositions by some of Hawaii's top musicians, including Keali'i Reichel, Kimie Miner, and Jake Shimabukuro. The score adds depth and emotion to some of the movie's most poignant scenes.

The film's director and writer, Brian Kohne, is a Hawaii native who has spent years working in the Hawaiian music scene. Kohne is known for his ability to blend Hawaiian culture and values with modern storytelling methods. This is evident in Kuleana, where he skillfully weaves together the themes of family, love, and responsibility with a contemporary storyline.

In summary, Kuleana is a touching and well-crafted movie that will leave audiences feeling inspired and moved. The movie's talented cast, beautiful setting, and emotive soundtrack all work together to bring the story to life. Kuleana is a movie that speaks to the power of family, community, and the human spirit, and it is a must-watch for anyone who values these ideals.

Kuleana is a 2017 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.