KAPU: Sacred Hawaiian Burials

Outdoor Film Screening
Saturday, November 29, 2025
6-9 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Bishop Museum Gallery Lawns
$15 General Admission. Free for Museum Members.

More than 20 years ago, Keoni Kealoha Alvarez found his calling when he stumbled upon a secret cave in the forest near his ancestral home of Puna on Hawai‘i Island. Inside this cave were iwi, the sacred bones of Kānaka maoli (Native Hawaiians) from generations past.

At eight years old, Keoni could not imagine how this discovery would change his life. In 2002, Keoni’s district became the target for developers who sought affordable property on the island. Faced with a powerful, wealthy outsider who threatened to plow through the cave near his home, Keoni found himself in his own David vs. Goliath scenario. “KAPU: Sacred Hawaiian Burials” follows Keoni’s journey in realizing his identity, heritage, and ultimately his legacy within the tradition of protecting his land for his people. Until Keoni knows what will happen to the property, he will remain the keeper of this cave to prevent this burial ground.

Program Timeline

5:30 p.m. Doors Open
6:30 p.m. Opening and Welcome
7 p.m. Film Screening (60 min)
8:15 p.m. Moderated Panel w/ filmmaker Keoni Alvarez and guest speakers Palikapu Dedman and Clare Apana

About the Filmmaker & Guest Speakers

Keoni Alvarez is a Native Hawaiian independent producer, director and writer. He started his career as a graduate of Na Leo O Hawaii Public Access Station and the WGBH Producers Academy in Boston. Through early adulthood, he enjoyed filming his Native Hawaiian culture through stories, language, and dance. His goal is to inspire students to express themselves and to take pride in their culture. He produced, wrote, and directed “KAPU: Sacred Hawaiian Burials.” His film projects have focused on strengthening, preserving, practicing and perpetuating Hawaiian burials.

Palikapu Dedman organized a protest against the mass burial desecration of an important historical site in Kapalua, Maui. The site was unearthed when digging began for the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Kapalua. When the importance of the discovery was realized, the hotel was moved inland. The area, which contains over 900 ancient Hawaiian burial sites dating between 610 and 1800, has been recognized as a sacred site. This burial ground started a movement of thousands of Hawaiians protesting to protect burials which Palikapu majorly influenced to enforce the Hawaiian burial laws. He is recognized and respected in the Hawaiian community for his knowledge and activism to protect Hawaiʻi’s culture, land and natural resources.

Clare Apana is from Wailuku, Maui, and is a cultural practitioner and teacher who is deeply involved with cultural preservation issues throughout Maui. Clare received the Sierra Club’s Onipa‘a Award in 2013 for her long dedication to research and advocacy to protect Maui’s traditional cultural landscapes and burial areas. She has a master’s degree in physical therapy and has a private practice in both Maui and Honolulu. Clare Apana is a descendant of the sand dune burials on the island of Maui. She stood up against developers in court to stop the desecration of illegal sand mining on Hawaiian burial grounds. Her efforts have brought awareness of the burial desecration by O‘ahu’s rail project, Maui hotel developments, and home subdivision developments. She is the founder of the Hawaiian burial conference held on Maui. The conference incorporates speeches by Hawaiian burial descendants, Hawaiian lawyers and Hawaiian rights advocates to address current issues with solutions.

See more of iwi kumu protecting Hawaiian burials on www.keonialvarez.com and www.hawaiianburials.com