The story of Ko‘olau and his wife, Pi‘ilani, is one of devotion in the face of death, but for many it remains a footnote in Hawaiian history that is rarely told more than 122 years later. That could change if Big Island filmmaker David Cunningham can bring his latest project to the silver screen.
Ko‘olau was a Kauai cowboy and marksman who contracted the incurable ailment leprosy in 1893. He was ordered by the Hawaii provisional government to join patients condemned to spend the rest of their lives in segregation at Kalawao on Molokai’s isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula.
Hawaiians called the place “the grave of living corpses.” But Ko‘olau agreed to go if his wife could go, too, and care for him and their son, who was also suffering from leprosy. At first the authorities agreed. Then they said no, causing Ko‘olau to flee with his family into the remote Kalalau Valley, never to be captured.
He shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Louis Stolz, who was sent to get him, and wounded two soldiers.
“It’s an embarrassment to the government,” Cunningham said. “They send in the Honolulu Rifles. They even send in a Civil War hero. And nobody can get this guy.”
Pi‘ilani ultimately buried her husband and son before she emerged from Kalalau to tell the world what happened.
“I think it is important to bring forward these footnotes in history, and I also love the reconciliation,” Cunningham said. “This is ultimately an uplifting and triumphant movie, and not just for one ethnicity, but hopefully for something more that transcends that with themes of loyalty and heroism.”
The story was the inspiration for author Jack London’s “Ko‘olau the Leper,” and Cunningham, a former Hollywood director who grew up in Kona, partnered with MPower Pictures this spring to co-produce a film of the same name.
Cunningham has assembled some weighty talent. On board are MPower founder and CEO Steve McEveety, an executive producer on “Braveheart” and a producer on “The Passion of the Christ,” as well as screenwriter John Fusco, who wrote “Hidalgo,” “Young Guns” and the upcoming feature “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend.”
The 44-year-old Cunningham had an established film and TV career on the mainland before returning to Hawaii in 2004 to start a family. Two of his better-known films were shot in Hawaii: “Beyond Paradise” and “To End All Wars.” Six years ago he founded Global Virtual Studio to connect projects from around the world and work on them from Kona.
Fusco first read London’s version of Ko‘olau’s story more than 25 years ago while on the Big Island for his honeymoon. When he and Cunningham met in 2002 to work on a movie (which was never made), the two filmmakers thought it would make a great film, but they didn’t start working on it until 18 months ago. At the time, Cunningham was helping to create a new Hawaii program to fast-track creative ideas: the Global Virtual Studio Transmedia Accelerator, a public/private partnership that awards $50,000 in seed money to projects.
The Ko‘olau project was a perfect fit and was one of five selected for intensive mentorship and production development help. Last spring, Cunningham sent Fusco’s script to MPower Pictures and got a thumbs-up almost immediately.
When McEveety read the script for the first time three months ago, Ko‘olau reminded him of William Wallace, the 13th- century hero who rallies the Scottish against the English monarchy in “Braveheart.”
“Films are so hard to make that I’m really drawn to things that create passion in my heart,” McEveety said. “And somehow I am drawn to underdog stories, stories where people beat the odds.”
Cunningham hopes to start filming next spring. He won’t say who he wants to cast for the movie, but plans to produce the film entirely in Hawaii, with locations on Kauai and the Big Island.
“I really do love these islands,” he said. “This is home for me, and I want to tell stories about this place that honor the people and the place, and I think this is one of them.”
The Global Virtual Studio Transmedia Accelerator, which was recently named one of the 50 most innovative accelerators by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is starting its second year and will accept project applications through Aug. 31. Information can be found at gvsaccelerator.com.
And that’s a wrap …
Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.
