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Director's Note
It is one of the great honors of my life to be entrusted with a story that celebrates the life of Hawaii's legendary singer and storyteller, Kindy Sproat.
It was only a few years ago while "talking story" with Kindy on his front porch overlooking beautiful Pololu Valley that I discovered the hidden treasures locked away in his memory. Kindy remembers stories his grandmother told him dating back over 150 years ago when his family worked as canoe carvers and cape makers to the ali'i (Hawaiian royalty).
Kindy's stories and songs, portraying life of a bygone era, reveal a time when the multi-ethnic plantation communities worked together, sharing their lives like one big 'ohana (family), living off the land in cooperation with their neighbors. A happy life, filled with aloha. His tales and music, sweet and poetic, are guides to help us learn from the past as we look to the future to create sustainable communities.
Aloha,
Keith Nealy
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Special Thanks
to Cheri and Kindy Sproat for sharing their stories, their music and their life with generosity and
aloha
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How To Make A Donation
All donations are gratefully accepted. This film does not have a sponsor, and the support of the community and local corporations and organizations is vital to make the vision a reality.
MAHALO
Thank you for your support.
YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
To Donate By Credit Card or PayPal online:
To Donate by Check and Mail:
Please make your check payable to the
"North Kohala Community Resource Center."
Very Important! PLEASE WRITE: "KINDY FILM" ON YOUR CHECK.
Your donations by mail can be sent to:
North Kohala Community Resource Center
P.O. Box 2
Hawi, HI 96719
North Kohala Community Resource Center, located in Hawi, Hawaii, provides local support, bridges to funding and education for projects that benefit the North Kohala community. NKCRC is a 501(c)3 organization and can provide receipts for donations.
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1988 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow
"...[Kindy's]exquisite falsetto, his astonishingly forceful and supple voice, his extensive repertoire, but perhaps most important, the depth and sincerity of this attachment to what he calls the old tradition, make him a true Hawaiian treasure."
~ Adapted from 1988 National Heritage Award program booklet
Kindy and mule on the Kohala Ditch Trail, 1950
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Preserving Culture Through Music and Story
"Kindy Sproat: A Gift to the Heart" is a documentary film about a man whose life is centered on preserving the culture of Old Hawai'i through its stories and songs. In the past, these treasures were rarely written down or recorded; and songs and stories were passed down through the years by crooners on back porches and cowboys around a campfire. This rich legacy lives today only in the amazing "sticky brain" memories of talkstory legends - performers like Clyde "Kindy" Halema'uma'u Sproat.
The Powerful Relationship Between Arts and Heritage
Kindy is a living encyclopedia, a man filled with the rapidly-vanishing knowledge of what life was like in Old Hawaii. His songs are laced with fascinating, charming stories. The treasury stored in Kindy's memory - ballads and tales spanning many generations - begins with memories that trace the history of Kohala from the days of the ali'i (royalty), over 150 years ago
Kindy Sproat
through the plantation era when sugar was king and Kohala was populated by immigrants from new lands, enriching the ethnic tapestry of Hawaii. His memories span the world of the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy), an integral part of the heritage of Hawai'i's Big Island. In 1988 he received the National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
It is the vision of this film to preserve some of this history and the sense of life that Kindy exemplifies.
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Raylene Kawaiae'a and Danny Akaka Join Cast as Film Storytellers
Kindy's story will be told in the film by many people whose lives he has touched. Kaniela (Danny) Akaka and Raylene Kawaiae'a are cast as the film's main storytellers.
Daniel "Kaniela" Kahikina Akaka, Jr., is resident historian and Director of Cultural Affairs at the Mauna Lani Resort, and Raylene Kawaiae'a is a kumu hula and ho'oponopono* practitioner.
"I would be honored to be a storyteller in the documentary along with Raylene, " said Akaka.
Raylene Kawaiae'a
"You know, Kindy was and still is, really the ultimate storyteller.
He is truly a treasure and for us younger generation of storytellers, he is our role model and our mentor. He's truly a legend of Kohala," he concluded.
Kaniela (Danny) Akaka
* Note: Ho'oponopono is an ancient traditional Hawaiian healing practice that is done to make things right or restore harmonious relationship
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Jim Ed Norman Teams with Keith Nealy
Jim Ed Norman has now joined forces with Keith Nealy Productions on "Kindy Sproat: A Gift to the Heart" as Executive Producer in charge of Music. The team envisions creating this and other films that bring people together by tearing down cultural barriers, honoring diveristy, and celebrating our common humanity. Key to their strategy is a revolutionary new ultra-high definition camera technology, RED Digital Cinema, which will open up global markets for distribution.
President of Warner Brother Records in Nashville for over 25 years, member of the "Eagles" and producer of over 25 gold records for artists such as Ann Murray, Kenny Rodgers, Linda Ronstadt, and America, Jim Ed also produced a CD with Kohala's own Kindy Sproat. Jim Ed brings world-class music experience to the team and is no stranger to building cultural bridges.
He created the "Leadership Music" program in Nashville, to bring together music professionals with business leaders in order to empower African Americans in the music industry. He also created an educational program to enable African Americans to break into predominately white NASCAR Racing organizations. He being honored this year for another program the developed to empower Native American Indians. To help Hawaiian musicians gain insights into the business of the recording industry, Jim Ed created a unique music exchange program for students at UH Manoa in connection with the Nashville music industry.
Jim Ed and Keith became friends through sharing a common passion for music and film, and have now joined forces in this new venture, believing that the power of digital cinema and music can build cultural bridges.
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 Fundraising Effort Begins in Kohala
Brevoort's Host Party
On July 9th, a small gathering of neighbors, friends and new acquaintances met at the Puakea Bay Ranch home of Peggy and Bill Brevoort to enjoy their view of sunset and to be introduced to a new film about Kindy Sproat. The Brevoort's offered their home, libations and pupus (including Bill's amazing Samoan 'ulu wedges), along with their warm hospitality to give support to the film. Peggy did some light summer entertaining magic, and Bill brought out his telescope after dark for a striking view of Mars and Saturn.
Greeting her guests before the film trailer and demo clips were screened, Peggy shared that she and Bill felt moved to do something to advance the vision of the production, "because this history is being lost." She cited how wonderful it was to discover Kindy and his music through the Nealy's, saying "Their work, building cultural bridges through film, is so important in our diverse, multi-ethnic community." Stories of Kindy were told by Sharon Hayden, Associate Producer and Story Consultant for the film, and Jeanne Sunderland, both longtime friends of the Sproat's.
Peggy summed it up with, "Fundraising that is this enjoyable is really 'fun-raising' that makes a difference, and I'm glad we could help."
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Corporate Sponsors Invitation
If you would like your business or organization to be associated with this production, please contact Sara Nealy to discuss sponsorship opportunities. Call Sara at (808) 882-7772 or email saraloha@aloha.net.
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Year of the Paniolo
Hawai`i Governor Linda Lingle and Harry Kim, mayor of the County of Hawaii, declared 2008 "Year of the Paniolo" (Year of the Cowboy).
Hawai`i's cowboys will be honored for their contributions to the state's heritage and culture.
2008 marks the centennial of the victory of Hawaiian cowboys at the Frontier Days World Championship in Wyoming. Ikua Purdy took first, Archie Ka'aua third and Jack Low sixth, putting Hawai'i on the map for cowboys.
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Upcoming Events
July 19, 2008 - Twilight at Kalahuipua'a with Danny Akaka ~ Eva Parker Woods Cottage,
Mauna Lani Resort - 5:30 pm
August 16, 2008 - Paniolo Family Day at Anna Ranch - A good time for children and adults alike - with games, paniolo craft demonstrations, history and protocol of pa`u riding with demonstrations - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
August 20, 2008 - Aug 26, 2008 ~ Hula and Chant Intensive with Kumu Hula Raylene Kawaiae'a - call 808 959-2258 for more information
August 22, 2008 - Opening Cocktail Reception - Paniolo Preservation Society
Historic Chock Inn Store (now Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant) - Wear your boots and hats. Informal. Silent and live auctions. Pupus, beer & wine included. 5:30 - 7:30 pm. $50/person
August 23, 2008 -Old Hawaii on Horseback - colorful pageant, held at the Minukeole (YMCA) Park, will recreate the historic tradition - costumed reenactment of various events key to the history of Hawaii. County Band & early-bird entertainment begins 8:30 am.
10:00 am - 12 noon. $20/person
Paniolo Music Concert
at Minukeole (YMCA) Park - Featuring Jerry Santos and Melveen Leed and some excellent local groups. 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm. $35/person
August 24, 2008 - Trail Ride, Kahua and Ponoholo Ranches - Activities & BBQ
Horseback Trail Ride, including ATV and wagon rides. BBQ dinner and entertainment. Advance reservation required. Trail ride 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Barbecue: 1:30 - 4:30 pm. $125/person for ride and barbecue. Barbecue only: $75/person.
August 30, 2008 - Parker Ranch Employee Rodeo - Parker Ranch Rodeo Grounds. Advance purchase tickets $5/pp per day (available at Parker Ranch Store) - $6 at the gate; children 10 & under are free.
An Evening at Puuopelu, Black and White Ball - Paniolo formal dress - historic home of the last Parker Ranch owner, Richard Smart. Fund raising event for The Paniolo Preservation Society. 5:30 - 10 pm. $300/person
September 6, 2008 - Kindy Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling, Waikoloa Marriott Resort
October 4, 2008 - 24th Annual Kohala Country Fair - Malama i ka 'Āina (Caring for the land) - under the banyan trees in Hawi - 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
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 Keith Nealy Productions, LLC
Ideas Making Waves
P.O. Box 190563
Hawi, HI 96719-0541
Studio (808) 882-7772
Mobile (808) 987-8098 or 987-8093
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MAHALO ~ THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO MAKE THIS FILM POSSIBLE |
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