Ho‘olono – To Listen Deeply
A cinematic mele explores Indigenous stewardship, environmental and cultural resilience, and the enduring interdependence between people and nature.
In Hawaiian, mele is a song, chant or poem that conveys cultural values, family histories and relationships to place. Ho‘olono is a short documentary film about biocultural conservation—an approach that weaves culture, language and intergenerational knowledge into conservation practice. Ho‘olono is an invitation “to listen deeply,” to engage meaningfully with land and people of place—those whose lived experiences cultivate an intuitive and reciprocal understanding of their environments.
Watch
Hoʻolono "To Listen deeply" | Official Trailer
From childhood, our connection to nature is shaped through cultural experiences and traditions. They inform how we learn, see, feel and care for the living world. Memories of fishing in a local creek or visiting a city park and stories that lit our curiosity about the living world—these experiences form the foundation of our relationship with the environment. These cultural cornerstones of responsibility, care and lasting stewardship are vital in addressing biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.
Join us as we rediscover our connection to land and waters through the practice of deep listening.
Coming Soon
We’re preparing to share Hoʻolono with audiences worldwide as it continues on its festival journey. We look forward to bringing this story to a wider audience, with an anticipated public release in mid-2027.
Follow our progress on Instagram!
Get Involved
The stories shared in this film reflect the powerful connections between people, culture and nature. If you'd like to learn more, collaborate, or support conservation efforts, we'd love to connect.