Maui's Time Machine is an animated film that uses symbolism to describe what words cannot: an erosion of Hawaiian culture caused by an unsettling and unjust history.
Hawaiian civilization was isolated from the rest of the world for at least 500 years. Immigration to the island began almost immediately after Captain Cook’s arrival in 1778. Along with changes in farming practices, economy, and culture came diseases such as smallpox that killed 80% of Native Hawaiian people by 1920. While Hawaiians were being wiped out by pandemic, political changes were brewing including constitutional changes that resulted in disenfranchising many Native Hawaiians and immigrants the right to vote through excessive property and income requirements. Queen Liliuokalani attempted to restore Hawaiian royal power in 1893 but was placed under house arrest by local politicians with the help from the military. Then the Republic of Hawaii was formed. This government agreed on behalf of Hawaii to join the US in 1898 as a territory. Hawaii became a US state 1959. Currently only 10% of the population of Hawaii is Native Hawaiians. This animation rejects the tourist economy and its disrespect of sacred ‘aina, culture and resources. The film uses visual symbolism to communicate what words cannot: the emotional effects that an unjust history has had on our kanaka, our ‘aina, our keiki, and Hawaiian Culture.