We had the good fortune of connecting with Kawika Hoke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kawika, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Lokomaika’i is a Hawaiian word that translates to “always act with generosity and kindness toward others”.

It’s the key to my production model. I found long ago that morale on set is the driving force behind the quality of your collaboration. Too many times I had seen many people carry a chip on their shoulder from the last set they were on. That attitude would fester into new negativity on the next set they worked on and spread, and eventually, they would carry baggage from one set to the next.

From the first day of pre-production, I operate with the mindset to take all that baggage away before the shoot starts by acting as a servant leader instead of a demanding one. I focus on my crew’s needs and then fulfill them. Then, before we turn the cameras on, I remind them all that this is a new experience and a new show. I ask them to leave their negative bias from previous shows behind and operate with generosity and patience.

This really cleans the slate for a lot of folks. Demanding Directors tone themselves down, PAs breathe easier, and everyone begins to communicate more effectively.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I focus on telling stories that should be told or want to be heard.

There are a lot of writers that feel they can write for themselves and create what they want, but filmmaking plays to an audience and you have to know what it wants.

My audience is Hawai’i and Hawaiians across the world (as 90% of Hawaiians no longer live in Hawai’i due to displacement). These people are my family and my community and I look to entertain them. Stories like Moku Moku work to deliver what I hear my community wanting, by representing them and catering to what they love and it shows when I hear their laughs or see them react to what’s on screen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I’m in California, I tend to keep it close to home. I’m more likely to entertain friends at home with Jackbox or suggest my favorite take-out.

But what’s funny, is when I get to Maui for production these days, I turn into a different guy. I wanna take my industry friends everywhere when they visit or work with me. My favorite places to show off are the country stores. You can sample some of the best Hawaiian comfort foods and bentos at all of them. Morihara’s chili is my absolute favorite, so if you ever make it to Kula, Maui you should check it out.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my cast and crew. They really put a lot into making our series Moku Moku happen.

Not many people realize the time put into prepping a show for pilot. There’s so much more than just handing out scripts.

We spent weeks on character development and months on looks and art. They really gave beyond 100%.

I’d also like to thank our Executive Producers Ted, Ann, and Jason. They appeared in the eleventh hour when we lost our original investor. They not only stepped up to the plate there, but they’ve become far more than business mentors – they’re more like guardian angels.    

Website: www.KawikaHoke.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kawikahoke

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kawikahoke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kawikahoke

Facebook: https://facebook.com/kawikahoke

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3UYZeKTM9Ju7DNy8a7GHvQ

Other: https://facebook.com/808mokumoku https://instagram.com/808mokumoku

Image Credits
All Photos by John Rodarte on the set of Moku Moku

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