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Nā Wāhine Buda Kiakahi is a documentary film about the legacy of Hawaiian women Buddhists beginning with the life of Mary Mikahala Robinson Foster, lady in waiting to Queen Liliʻuokalani. While many have visited Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu, little has been known of her work to perpetuate the practice of Buddhism, even beyond Hawaiʻi, where she is revered in India and Sri Lanka for her contributions. Narrated by Puakea Nogelmeier and featuring Nola Nāhulu, Puanani Burgess, Norma Wong and Manu Aluli Meyer who bring contemporary practice of Buddhism into Hawaiian leadership.
Director Biography - Eleni Avendaño
Fourth-generation storyteller Eleni Avendaño was born and raised on Oʻahu. This is her first feature film. She most recently directed "AMEFIL (Amy)" which was nominated for a HIFF "Made in Hawaii" award at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival in 2023.
Director Statement
Join us for a historical view of Buddhism thought in the Native Hawaiian community and the implications of that connection in modern times through contemporary wahine practitioners. Youʻll leave with historical facts as embodied by the life and contributions of Mary Mikahala Foster in part I, and in part II, meet several contemporary wahine who share their multi-religious journeys and how they arrived at their personal "stew" of spirituality. Itʻs a story of Hawaiʻi and what makes it so special.
Nā Wāhine Buda Kiakahi is a documentary film about the legacy of Hawaiian women Buddhists beginning with the life of Mary Mikahala Robinson Foster, lady in waiting to Queen Liliʻuokalani. While many have visited Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu, little has been known of her work to perpetuate the practice of Buddhism, even beyond Hawaiʻi, where she is revered in India and Sri Lanka for her contributions. Narrated by Puakea Nogelmeier and featuring Nola Nāhulu, Puanani Burgess, Norma Wong and Manu Aluli Meyer who bring contemporary practice of Buddhism into Hawaiian leadership.
Director Biography - Eleni Avendaño
Fourth-generation storyteller Eleni Avendaño was born and raised on Oʻahu. This is her first feature film. She most recently directed "AMEFIL (Amy)" which was nominated for a HIFF "Made in Hawaii" award at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival in 2023.
Director Statement
Join us for a historical view of Buddhism thought in the Native Hawaiian community and the implications of that connection in modern times through contemporary wahine practitioners. Youʻll leave with historical facts as embodied by the life and contributions of Mary Mikahala Foster in part I, and in part II, meet several contemporary wahine who share their multi-religious journeys and how they arrived at their personal "stew" of spirituality. Itʻs a story of Hawaiʻi and what makes it so special.