FILM AND TRAILER
View and share the stories of intergenerational activists in Henoko.
Via Kaiya Y, March 2019
"Our Island's Treasure" Documentary (2019)
Duration: 30 minutes
Director, producer and editor: Kaiya Laguardia-Yonamine
Translation: Kaiya Laguardia-Yonamine, Moe Yonamine, Chizuko Morikawa, Shoko Parker, Wesley Ueunten, and friends Erica, Julianna, Isabel, Nanae, Caroline
Henoko activists featured: Fumiko Shimabukuro, Denny Tamaki, Keiko Itokazu, Suzuyo Takazato, Yoshikazu Makishi, Yuna Nomura, Rin Itokazu, Wakana Toguchi, Kazuki Toguchi, Hinako Oshiro, Kei Senaha, Hideaki Gushiken, Daiichi Tokuhiga, Sayaka Matayoshi, Kanako Ide, Kouki Senaha
Portland students featured: Akeke Thompson, Akash Sharma, Christopher Toa, MaryJane Fine, Miles Rodriguez, Jaime Delara-Vargas, Breely Buttitta-Acquino, Robbie Mills, Jr., Ahliah Nordstrom, Eva Angus (Hahobs Atway)
Other student participants: Leka, Jurnee, Justice, Fatima, Sabrin, Dyllan, Peni, Eseta, Gwenn, Lio, Mariana, Justin, Lina, Nah, Zemzem, JJ, Reyjon, Keone, Alexis, Taylor, Kaneston, Daniela, Nadia, Vou, Siua
About "Our Island's Treasure" (film description from 2019):
The concrete began to crush the beautiful ocean of Okinawa back in December of 2018. But even when feeling devastated about what's happening in Henoko, there was no media in the U.S. about it. Nothing in textbooks. Nothing in my classes. Nothing anywhere.
I knew my family was hurting, and I knew my mom's island a ocean are being destroyed. But I also knew that people are fighting with their lives on the line for the ocean, and for us - all of us. So I decided I needed to take a camera and bridge us across the ocean. With the help of my family and community, I fundraised to fly back to Okinawa in March and April of 2019. People in my high school bought lots of cookies for my bake sale and friends came over to help make thousands of paper cranes I sold. Spending 3 weeks in Okinawa and listening to the stories of people on the ground, I made this documentary to tell the world their story and show their fight - our fight.
The documentary is the result of interviewing Uchinānchu elders and student activists who are doing everything to protect our sacred ocean, even when the media ignores what's happening. Please help spread it to people around the country, and around the world.
"Our Island's Treasure" Trailer/Short Promo
Duration: 3 minutes
Transcript:
This is the Ryūkyū Islands Beautiful sand, sacred jungles, proud people Beloved native Uchinānchus Living along sparkling ocean waves Ancient history of kings and queens The kingdom overthrown by Japan in 1879 Violence brought upon this peaceful land during World War II After the war, the US put Uchinānchu people in concentration camps While taking land to build bases On what was left of this tiny paradise The main island of Okinawa is 70 miles long and 7 miles wide Crammed with 32 bases Burdened with 70% of all US military bases under Japan Against the democratic will of the Uchinānchu people Now, the construction of a new base has begun This time, in the ocean Henoko is the name of the region where the base is being built Oura Bay is the name of the ocean that is being destroyed This is one of the most biodiverse waters in the world Bursting with life Of over 5300 species And 262 endangered species That are all dependent on this sea The Japanese government is actively destroying this ocean To make a new US Marine Corps base If unstopped, this new base is planned to be The size of 383 football fields Concrete crushing coral Using our own red soil to fill the sea Killing our ocean Kayactivists have been blocking ships Elders have been staging sit-ins War survivors have been blocking trucks Raising fists Singing island songs Fighting for our ocean And the media remains silent But as the destruction continues, Our fight continues We call on you to join us And protect our ocean Before we lose it forever This is an emergency Spread the word Spread the action Rise with us Rise for Henoko