Lights! Camera! Action!

Advancing tomorrowʻs leaders

Jan. 10, 2017

Contributed by Mae Nishimura

Through innovative commercial real estate resource management practices, Kamehameha Schools provides more than financial educational support. Education moves beyond the four walls of a classroom allowing students to engage the greater classroom of the world, and experience world-class learning that defines Kamehameha Schools’ present and future.

KS Kapālama haumāna recently enjoyed an outdoor learning experience at a once-in-a-lifetime huakaʻi to Waimea Valley where they witnessed the filming of the motion picture, “Jumanji.”

Students met with various prop and production crew members where they learned the valuable lessons of studying hard, and being motivated and driven in order to reach the goals of their desired dream jobs.

KS kumu and haumāna were within five feet of some of their favorite actors including Dwayne Johnson (a little birdie on the set says he prefers the nickname “DJ” over “the Rock”), Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Nick Jonas, and Karen Gillan.

“While the glitz and glamour of Hollywood movie stars first allured them, the creativity, grit and precision of a film production is what enthralled them,” says Leah Kihara, KSK video production kumu. “The ability to connect students with real life applications of their classroom lessons and expose them to the potential of career opportunities in film production proves this field trip invaluable.”

After visiting with the production crew at Waimea Valley, students then made their way to Our Kakaʻako, located on KS land. The movie company rented a facility from KS where they created and housed many of their set pieces for the movie.

Here, students met with the “Jumanji” costume set designer, construction manager, and the wardrobe team. They learned how much hard work and collaboration goes into creating, filming and producing a movie.

“We welcome the opportunity to integrate our work in Commercial Real Estate to provide a unique, hands-on, project-based learning opportunities that inspire and broaden students' interests and career pathways,” says KS Commercial Real Estate Senior Asset Manager Gary Evora.

KSK senior Kahiau Cockett-Nagamine gained some valuable insight into the motion picture industry. “I learned about how much patience and determination it takes to work on a movie production,” says “There are a lot of sporadic changes and obstacles that come up and in order to get past these challenges, you have to stay calm and clear headed.”

Jumanji recently completed production in Hawaiʻi and Sony Pictures wrapped up filming on December 5. The film is scheduled to be released in summer, 2017.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2020
SP2020 is a five-year strategic plan that will guide Kamehameha Schools from 2015 to 2020. The plan marks a starting point toward KS’ Vision 2040, which envisions success for all Native Hawaiian learners.

Ma ka hana ka ʻike (to learn by doing) is among the cultural principles recently adopted by KS. It includes hands-on learning outside of the classroom, on Pauahi's lands. This learning experience supports Action 5 of Kamehameha’s Ten Actions for fiscal year 2016-2017, which calls for KS to integrate cultural principles system-wide.

About Jumanji

Jumanji is a sequel, not a remake. Dwayne Johnson plays Dr. Smolder Bravestone. Kevin Hart’s character is named Moose Finbar, with Jack Black playing Professor Shelly Oberon and Karen Gillan playing Ruby Roundhouse.

KS Kapālama film and drama class students gained valuable insight into the motion picture industry on the set of “Jumanji.” They also got to meet KS alumna Wainani Tomich (front, maroon shirt), the movie's assistant director.