A Documentary Film About Hawaii’s Niu Now Movement
Niu Forever invites you into the heart of Hawai'i, where the niu - or coconut tree - embodies resilience, food sovereignty, and cultural reawakening. See how communities come together to protect genetic diversity, combat invasive species, and find healing through their deep connection to land and each other.
The film is intended for public television and will be freely accessible to all who wish to experience it.
We Are at a Crucial Moment.
Support our campaign to raise $40,000!
We are asking for funds to continue telling the story. There are so some very crucial, time sensitive events coming up that we still need to document:
The giving away of niu seedlings which were planted in a nursery by volunteers this past July.
The serious threat posed by the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, which is taking down trees all over Oahu.
Following is the community effort in Waianae to counteract this threat and save their unique and ancient niu varieties.
Your donation makes this film possible! If you are able to support this production with a pledge of any amount, we invite you to do so via the button below.
If you’re not able to do that, there’s still a place for you here! Please, follow us, and share the campaign with those who would want to join our cause.
About the Filmmakers
Alex Cantatore (Producer/Director/Editor)
Alex Cantatore is a mission-driven filmmaker committed to environmental, social and spiritual well-being. His 2021 short documentary Kumu Niu, the proof of concept for this project, won the 2002 award for Best Environmental Short Film at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival, the Jackson Wild Media Award for Best Human Planet - Short Form and has been broadcast nationally on PBS. Alex has done extensive documentary film and video work for NGOs to promote forest conservation, sustainable building and investment in youth as the future stewards of our planet. Alex believes in a human-first and intersectional approach to filmmaking, and his documentary style reflects his commitment as a lifelong student in the art of listening.
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