In honor of Women's History Month, the Kaua'i County Committee on the Status of Women is hosting a free showing of the documentary film "Rise of the Wahine" on March 8, announced to the public earlier this week. Set to play at Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m., the film is open to the general public, and sports teams are especially encouraged to attend. The documentary traces the journey of the University of Hawai‘i Wahine Volleyball team, who battled for equality in sports and became a motivator in the fight for gender equality at large.
This year's Women’s History Month theme, "Moving Forward TOGETHER! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations," seems to perfectly capture the essence of "Rise of the Wahine." The film examines the broader impact of Title IX—a pivotal law that rules to prevent sex-based discrimination in education—and how the Wahine team's story is intertwined with this legislation. Dean Kaneshiro, the film's director and a native of Hawaii, aimed to not only document the team's challenges but also to possibly encourage future generations to boldly continue to challenge injustice, as reported by the County of Kauai.
The narrative laid out in "Rise of the Wahine" includes personal anecdotes from the original team members and their coach, Dave Shoji, as well as insights from significant figures like Dr. Bernice Sandler and Gwendolyn Mink. According to the County of Kauai press release, Kaneshiro said, "This journey has forever changed my heart and inspired me to raise my sons and daughters in an empowering way. I hope the Wahine story inspires future generations to challenge injustice in all forms."
For additional details on the event, available accessibility services, or the film itself, potential attendees can visit the film's website or reach out to Kodie Kaina with the Office of Kaua’i Boards and Commissions directly. Anela Davis is the contact for requesting ASL interpreters, alternate format materials, or auxiliary aid support. To ensure these services can be organized, requests should be made as soon as possible.
