Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 8, 1 August 2022 — JASON LEES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JASON LEES

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Multimedia Designer Co mmunications 5 years at OHA FROM: O'ahu (mokupuni) Kona (moku) Waikīkī (ahu pua'a) EDUCATION: • Punahou • UH Mānoa (BA in Communications)

What is your kuleana at OHA? My kuleana is mostly storytelling on behalf ofOHA and the lāhui through video and photography. It is such an honor to be in aplaee where I ean go out into the community, capture people's stories, and then share them with OHA's large audience on social media, at events, and even on TV. Our videos have been viewed millions oftimes on social media alone. Ourgoal is to inform and inspire the lāhui and to mahalo those who are doing amazing work in communities across thepae aina. Why did you choose to work for OHA? I have always loved videography - ever since I was a kid. Combining my passion for creating videos with advocating for Native Hawaiians is like two lifelong dreams coming together. What is the best thing about working at OHA? For me, it's going out and capturing the stories about what is happening in the lāhui. Some ofthose stories are, ofcourse, tragic and sad. But many are uplifting and inspiring! Seeing how OHA's work rea\ly does help to assist the lāhui is also rewarding. I've had interviewees cry on camera thanking OHAfor its kōkua. I've also seen our storytelling efforts help make real change in the community - even at the legislature. What is something interesting for people to know about you? I lived on the continent until I was 15, but I have always been drawn to the plight of Indigenous peoples. I remember being in thefourth grade and quietly crying into my textbook after seeing a painting ofthe "Trail ofTears." Learning about the cruelty imposed on Indigenous people by the government had aprofound impactupon me. When I moved to Hawai'i in 1992, 1 saw the strugglefront and center.Just afew months after moving, I witnessed the march by Kānaka Maoli to commemorate the 100th anniversary ofthe illegal overthrow ofthe Hawaiian Kingdom. In my workfor OHA I am now in aposition similar to that ofthe painter who depicted the Trail ofTears so horrifically in my textbook. That painting changed me. It opened my eyes. I hope my work will help to do the samefor others. Who has been your role model? The many videographers and photographers who t_ell Native Hawaiian stories. In particular, Puhipau and Joan Lander ofNā Maka o Ka 'Aina, Na'alehu Anthony, 'Aina Paikai, Keli'i Grace, and the rest ofthe loeal filmmaking hui. In the area of photography, I admire the work ofEd Greevy and Kai Markell. I also love non-Native Hawaiian films and storytelling - in particular, the great pieces produced by Disney/Pixar and Universal, as well as foreign place-based stories like City ofGod and Onee Were Warriors. What is your best OHA memory? There are afew that eome to mind. Working on the Mana i Mauli Ola film with our small crew that included Mākaha Filmmaker Pākē Salmon. That film has won numerous awards. Another is the Jam4MaunaKea Worldwide Sing-Along video thatl worked on withMana Maoli. Another powerful memory was going with Kumu Hina into Hālawa Prison to document her work. This was in 2019 when she was working at OHA and providing educational classes at the prison to help Native Hawaiian pa'ahao reconnect to their culture. ■