Celebrate Summer Reading! Our summer theme is E Heluhelu Kākou: Mele, and Hawaii’s public libraries will be celebrating the power of storytelling through music, chants, and poetry.

Nona Beamer: A Legacy of Aloha is a film portrait of a remarkable Hawaiian woman, Nona Beamer, who was known to all as Aunty Nona. Filmmaker Linda Kane will be present and will participate in a talk story after the showing.

Aunty Nona came from a long family line of Hawaiian music and hula, and her family remains active in Hawaiian music today. She played an important part in reshaping the history and restoring the culture of Hawaiian music and dance.

“This film,” says filmmaker Linda Kane, “is my way of thanking Aunty Nona for all she has done, and it is my hope that it will continue to spread her aloha.” Kane spent four years making this documentary and completed it in 2013. It is a one-woman project and a work of love, and Kane always made sure that every step she took was with honor and respect for Aunty Nona and her work. For Kane, this endeavor became a spiritual journey. She felt a responsibility toward Aunty Nona and all the people who shared their stories with her.

“Hawaii has so much that is worth preserving,” states Kane. “Hula connects you with the earth, the past, and all those people who danced before. I wanted others to know what aloha is, the very center of the Hawaiian culture. Aunty Nona was the embodiment of aloha, and I wanted the film to show what this means.”

The film appeals both to those who don’t know much about Hawaii or Aunty Nona, and those who know them well. Nona Beamer: A Legacy of Aloha has been enthusiastically seen and reviewed in venues around the state.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.