The Initiative
Reclaiming Voice Through Media
Maka‘i Fest is the culminating showcase of the Manaʻolana Media Training Initiative — a veteran-centered program that grounds participants in the cultural narratives of place, trains them in film, audio, photography, and digital storytelling, and goes a step further: it funds and backs veterans to create their own independent productions.
A Manaʻolana Production
The Manaʻolana Project — Hope, Healing, Growth — develops healing environments for veterans through evidence-based, hands-on programming. The Media Training Initiative extends that work into creative production: veterans learn to shoot, record, and edit, and in doing so reclaim their own narrative.
Hosted at the Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial, the program does more than teach. Through production funding and support, veterans direct their own independent productions — work they author and own — turning lived experience into public-facing media.
“Every story you see here was imagined, crafted, and produced by veterans reclaiming their voice through media.”
Our Primary Message
From Training to Production
Cultural Grounding
Every journey begins with place. Cultural practitioners ground participants in the history and narratives of the Moanalua–Keʻehi ahupuaʻa.
Media Training
Participants build real, transferable skills in video production, audio work, photography, and digital media.
Funded Production
Training is only the beginning. The Initiative funds and resources veterans to produce their own independent work — recognizing them as producers, not only participants.
Mentorship & Support
Trainers, peers, and veteran-serving partners walk alongside each participant through the process.
Public Distribution
Finished work reaches the wider community through partners such as ʻŌlelo Community Media.
The Showcase
Maka‘i Fest is the culminating milestone — where participants step forward as the talent.
Who This Is For
VA Participants & Families
The veterans creating the work, and the ʻohana who support them.
Veteran-Serving Orgs
Partners who connect participants with care and community.
Cultural & Media Partners
Practitioners and trainers like ʻŌlelo Community Media.
Supporters & Funders
Community stakeholders investing in veteran creative voice.
The Culminating Showcase
Maka‘i Fest is where training and independent production become a public reveal — a space where veterans share their creative courage with community, and where every participant can feel seen, honored, and elevated as a producer and as the talent.