From the acclaimed filmmaker behind WAIKIKI, Native Hawaiian writer/director Christopher Kahunahana comes HOTEL STREET. The film intertwines stark historical truth with psychological horror, forcing us to confront the haunting question: Why does history repeat itself?
Make history with us
Revive indie film making in Hawaiʻi! In 2025, Hawaiʻi faced an unprecedented pause in television and large-scale production, leaving local filmmakers without work for months at a time as corporate consolidation erase independent voices. Hotel Street exists as a response to that moment. Proof that meaningful, culturally rooted stories can still be made outside the machinery of conglomerates. It offers not only a deeply human narrative, but a tangible act of belief in Hawaiʻi’s creative community:
Weʻre halfway thru production and have a few more weeks to go!
Donate and be part of history.
Weʻre halfway thru production and have a few more weeks to go!
Donate and be part of history.
Why This Matters
Hotel Street is more than a story. It is a visceral truth shaped by land, history, and the people bound to its enduring echo. The weight of what was endured during wartime Hawaiʻi has never lifted; it lingers beneath the surface, pressing forward as unresolved history demands its reckoning. The film exposes a stark hierarchy that persists across generations:
Who is granted sanctuary, who is brutally cast aside, and who is utterly obliterated when the shadows of yesterday bleed into today.
The Story
The possibility of redemption
Through Shinju, a Japanese modern dancer carrying the trauma of war into contemporary Honolulu, the film examines how violence, both personal and historical, fractures identity. Her journey reveals a sobering reality: under the right conditions, any of us are capable of becoming a monster. Yet Hotel Street ultimately argues for something rarer and more necessary; hope, accountability, and the possibility of redemption.
Within a Chinatown thick with the echoes of WWII, Shinju finds herself drawn into a fractured circle: Freddy, a musician touched by unsettling clairvoyant visions; Evan, her boyfriend, whose charm masks a sadistic darkness; and Miller, a veteran grappling with a fractured memory.
As Shinju delves deeper into the horrors of the bombings and the quiet anguish of Japanese internment, she begins to unearth a buried family secret tied to their abrupt departure from Hawaii during the war, a secret that now threatens to consume her.
The old world is dying. The new struggles to be born. Now is the time of monsters.
Antonio Gramsci
Visionary Storytellers
Christopher Kahunahana
Writer/Director
Acclaimed Kanaka filmmaker Kahunahana is a Sundance Institute Feature Film and Native Lab Alumni whose award-winning debut WAIKIKI has been praised as "stunning," "powerful," and "one of the most important films ever from a Native Hawaiian."
Nominated for "Best New Director" at the Asian Pacific Screen Awards 2021, Kahunahana has been touted as a "director to watch" and an "oceanic auteur" whose work draws comparisons to Kubrick, Resnais, and Malik.
An advocate for representation, Kahunahana has served on panels for American Film Market, the Geena Davis Institute, and GOLD HOUSE FUTURES. Recent projects include producing award-winning "KUKINI" and directing MTV's Young Voter Campaign. He's currently developing the sci-fi film AIMAN, a triptych titled MOHALU.
Lopaka Kapanui
Story/Cultural Consultant
Famously known as "The Ghost Guy," Lopaka Kapanui is a master storyteller and revered cultural practitioner who has dedicated over 25 years to guiding immersive ghost tours across Oʻahu. Through his captivating narratives, he unveils the hidden, haunted corners of the island, sharing chilling tales passed down through generations and bringing audiences face-to-face with the spectral history of Hawaiʻi.
Famously known as "The Ghost Guy," Lopaka Kapanui is a master storyteller and revered cultural practitioner who has dedicated over 25 years to guiding immersive ghost tours across Oʻahu. Through his captivating narratives, he unveils the hidden, haunted corners of the island, sharing chilling tales passed down through generations and bringing audiences face-to-face with the spectral history of Hawaiʻi.
Kapanui is a keeper of ancient knowledge, bridging the tangible world with the unseen. His profound understanding of Hawaiian supernatural traditions and folklore allows him to weave narratives that dive deep into the island's often-turbulent history, revealing the spirits and stories that continue to linger.
He has channeled this unparalleled expertise into his acclaimed literary works, inviting readers to peer beyond the veil. His spine-tingling books include the deeply researched MYSTERIES OF HONOLULU, the esoteric exploration of Hawaiian spiritual practices in KAHUNA, and the haunting saga of the legendary NIGHT MARCHERS.
Richard Hamasaki
Producer
Poet and independent filmmaker & producer Richard Hamasaki has championed Indigenous voices in Hawai‘i’s literary and arts community for over 50 years. Collaborating with a diverse array of artists locally and internationally, his work spans poetry, film, and cultural preservation.
Poet and independent filmmaker & producer Richard Hamasaki has championed Indigenous voices in Hawai‘i’s literary and arts community for over 50 years. Collaborating with a diverse array of artists locally and internationally, his work spans poetry, film, and cultural preservation.
In 2024, the Auckland Museum in Aotearoa (New Zealand) acquired his extensive archive, featuring over 800 titles of books from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands, along with printed matter, art, photographs, recordings, and silkscreens from the ʻElepaio Press Collective. As a Sansei artist, the grandchild of Japanese immigrants, Richard’s unique heritage informs his artistic vision.
His recent filmography includes EP of the award-winning "Down on the Sidewalk in Waikīkī" and co-producing the short narrative "HULI," which premiered at the Honolulu African American Film Festival and was screened at other festivals. Most notably, he co-directed the experimental film "MANIFESTO [for Concrete Poetry]," honoring the late poet Wayne Kaumualii Westlake.
A Glimpse into Hotel Street
Behind The Scenes
One Half of Our Cinematic Journey Captured
Respected Industry Producers
Marc Porterfield
Recognized for his strategic oversight and logistical expertise. Recent work includes serving as Executive Producer on The Line, producer on Amazon Music Live, and a production consultant on Hulu comedy Plan B.
He served as EP on The Ultimate Playlist of Noise, was a production consultant for Hulu comedy The Binge, and produced for major franchises such as Fear the Walking Dead: Passage and Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462.
His deep experience in production roles is extensive, with credits as a line producer on series like Black Jesus, as an executive in charge on the docuseries Branding Bud, and as a co-executive producer on the TV movie Karma.
Kevin Lum
Kevin Lum is a distinguished Assistant Director with a prolific track record across major studio franchises and acclaimed television series. He has recently contributed to Prime Video's blockbuster video game adaptation Fallout, managed production for Emmy-winning dramas such as Westworld and The Peripheral, and supported major motion pictures including Venom and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.
His versatile expertise also extends to hit family and horror genres, having worked on Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween and American Horror Story. Lum's extensive credits demonstrate a consistent ability to navigate complex logistics and deliver for top-tier productions in science fiction, action, and prestige television.
Mitchell Galin
An accomplished producer and executive with a decades-long career, Galin has played a key role in some of the most recognizable and enduring titles in horror, including The Stand, Dune, The Langoliers, Pet Sematary, Thinner, Tales from the Darkside, and Creepshow.
Galin served as Executive in Charge of Production on the cult-favorite series Monsters and Tales from the Darkside, overseeing nearly 100 episodes of episodic television. From Stephen King adaptations and network miniseries to independent films, documentaries, and contemporary series such as Superstition and Shudder’s Creepshow, Galin is kown for his hands-on leadership, creative problem-solving, and ability to guide projects from development through delivery. Galin brings deep industry experience, strong creative instincts, and a proven track record.
Vince Keala Lucero
Native Hawaiian filmmaker specializing in Indigenous storytelling, bridging Hollywood-scale production with culturally significant projects as both producer and Union camera operator.
His producing work includes cultural stewardship as EP of the Merrie Monarch Festival and producing broadcast content for Kamehameha and Hōkūleʻa. His commitment to authentic representation is shown in indie films like Waikiki and The Wind & The Reckoning. His major camera credits as a Camera Operator include Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Chief of War, Rescue HI Surf, and Hawaiʻi Five-0.
A graduate of Kamehameha and LMU, his leadership includes co-producing the Maui Ola Telethon, which raised $1.4M days after the Lahaina wildfires.
Connie M. Florez
Connie Florez is a distinguished Indigenous filmmaker with over three decades of experience, celebrated for her impactful contributions to cinematic storytelling. Her work consistently highlights authentic narratives, earning accolades for both her award-winning features and short films.
Among her notable credits are the critically acclaimed Waikiki (Sundance Native Lab), the powerful documentary Kumu Hina (PBS Independent Lens), and the compelling State of Aloha. Beyond her filmmaking, Connie has served as an Adjunct Professor at UH Mānoa, where she mentors the next generation of storytellers. She is also the founder and CEO of Hula Girl Productions, a platform dedicated to producing culturally significant content.
Robert Campbell
A DP and Camera Operator on some of the most ambitious and visually iconic film and television productions of the last generation, Campbell's career spans premium streaming series, studio tentpoles, and award-winning prestige TV, collaborating closely with A-list actors, visionary directors, and top-tier DPs.
Most recently, Robert served as a camera operator on Amazon Prime’s Fallout 1 & 2, working with Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, and Lana 5. His TV work also includes extensive runs on HBO’s Westworld.
Robert’s feature film credits include major studio productions such as The Revenant, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Godzilla, Devotion, Reminiscence, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Star Trek Into Darkness, and John Carter.
Jason Cutinella
An entrepreneurial media executive and dedicated film producer focused on Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. As the Founder and CEO of NMG Network, he has leveraged over a decade of experience following an early career in strategic media at McCann Erickson and Sony Music in New York.
As EP, he has supported indie features such as Every Day in Kaimuki and Kahunahana's Waikiki. His portfolio includes significant documentary and short film work, including Ka Huaka'i: The Journey to Merrie Monarch, Shaka & Shine: Aloha with Pride, Moloka'i Bound, Massagers for Sale and The Arrangements.
Deeply embedded in the creative community, Cutinella serves on the boards of the Hawai'i International Film Festival (HIFF) and the ‘Ohina Short Film Festival. He brings a powerful combination of executive media strategy, and entrepreneurial vision.
Join us in taking Hotel Street to the finish line
Mahalo to our partners
Connect with the team
Vince Keala Lucero
Producer
Email: hotelstreetfilm@gmail.com
Naomi Yoshida
Producer
Email: hotelstreetfilm@gmail.com