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2022 Awards 

Award winners are selected by the Hawai'i Film Critics Society

still from Cane Fire

Best Feature Film

presented by Hawai'i Media Inc

I WAS A SIMPLE MAN
directed by Christopher Makato Yogi

For outstanding feature narrative or documentary work.

Nominees

- CANE FIRE directed by Anthony Banua-Simon
- WAIKIKI, directed by Christopher Kahunahana
- WATER LIKE FIRE, directed by Mitchel Merrick

Best Director

presented by Hawai'i Discount Car Rental

For a breakthrough in vision and voice.


LAST HAWAIIAN SUGAR
directed by Déjà Cresencia Bernhardt

Nominees 

- Anton Chekhov's The Proposal, directed by Theo Coumbis
- Fishing with Wally, directed by Ellie Schmidt

Best Cinematography

presented by John Mason

KA HO'I : THE RETURN

shot by Gerard Elmore

For outstanding narrative or documentary films of any length.

Nominees

- Ala Moana Boys, shot by Ryan Miyamoto
- Red House, shot by Vince Keala Lucero

Best Short Film

presented by the Ohina Film lab

SINA MA TINIRAU

directed by Vilsoni Tausie Hereniko

For narrative or documentary short or episodic content.

Nominees

- Blue Cooler, directed by Laura Margulies
- FALLOUT : HILO, directed by BrainInaCat

Ho'omau Award

presented by the Hilo Palace Theater

KA HO'I : THE RETURN

directed by Mitchel Merrick

Presented to a filmmaker exploring stories of overcoming obstacles to perpetuation of people and culture.

Nominees

- Sina ma Tinirau, directed by Vilsoni Tausie Hereniko
- Ala Moana Boys, directed by Keli'i Grace

Best Documentary

presented by Doc Story Club

HEALING LAND, HEALING PEOPLE directed by Leah Warshawski

For short or feature length documentaries.

Nominees 

- Fishing with Wally, directed by Ellie Schmidt
- The Kohala Mountain Music Project, directed by Kihei Nahale-a and Boots Lupenui

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