(Post-Production) Haku means to weave, and inoa is the Hawaiian word for name. In traditional Hawaiian culture a name is considered a sacred extension of a person’ s identity. My name is Christen Hepuakoamana‘ a ekapunokamalie -o- nonali‘ iemekahanohano amauana‘ ia Marquez, and after nearly twenty years of living on the “mainland”, or contiguous United States. I am returning to Hawai‘i to learn the meaning of the name. My Mother, Elena, created my name and therefore is the only person who knows the true meaning. She was diagnosed with a mental illness called schizophrenia over twenty years ago, and as a result my understanding Native Hawaiian culture is modest. I am prone to embarrassing misunderstandings and blow outs with my Mother, but the drive to understand my name is resolute. I invite the viewer of my film to join my journey to discover who I am and where I come from.
