Documentary Warns Human Impacts Causing the Collapse of Hawaii's Marine

Documentary Warns Shoreline Sprawl, Pollution and Indiscriminate Fishing Practices are Causing the Collapse of Hawaii’s Marine Ecosystem- California Premiere at the 8th Annual EarthVision International Environmental Film and Video Festival

Santa Cruz: zeroimpact productions (http://www.zeroimpactproductions.com) of Maui, Hawai’i announces the California premiere of their documentary, Oasis of the Pacific: Time is Running Out. The film has won the Endangered Species and Habitat category in the 8th Annual EarthVision International Environmental Film and Video Festival and will screen Saturday, October 1st in the Rio Theater, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. The evening events start at 6:45 with Oasis of the Pacific screening at 8 pm. The filmmakers, Adam Bromley and Marie Le Boeuf will be in Santa Cruz for the duration of the film festival and will be available to answer questions about their documentary. To view a map of the theater and for more details, please visit the films companion website here: http://www.oasisofthepacific.com. Tickets are now available from the Book Shop Santa Cruz and EcoGoods. A $5 donation is requested and you can call EcoGoods for more information about tickets at 831.429.5756.

Oasis of the Pacific is a 58-minute documentary that takes viewers on a revealing journey through the stunning yet endangered undersea world of the Hawaiian Islands. Striking imagery of the underwater realm is juxtaposed with the harsh and ugly realities of three major anthropogenic impacts currently overwhelming marine life in Hawai’i: shoreline sprawl, pollution and overfishing. Concerned marine biologists, experts from environmental organizations and Hawai’i residents passionately speak out against concrete sprawl and muddy runoff, pollution from irresponsible agricultural and land use practices and the mountains of plastic and derelict fishing gear found throughout the archipelago.

Also disclosed is how illicit violations committed within the fishing industry are leading to the extinction of some of the most threatened animals in the world. Paul Achitoff, the managing attorney for the Honolulu Office of Earthjustice elaborates “the fisheries in the United States are managed in a classic fox in the henhouse manner by regional fisheries management councils that are staffed almost exclusively by commercial fishing interests.“

“Your film is EXCELLENT, just EXCELLENT. Truly spectacular and superb on content, depth and breadth. So timely and beautifully focused on Hawaii, yet in a global context” is how Denise Antolini, Director of the Environmental Law Program at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa described the film.

“Director and writer Adam Bromley’s film makes it difficult to argue against the claim that we are taking more than we are giving back and to continue to do so would be the end of us,” states Kawehi Haug, Senior Editor from the Honolulu Weekly in her review of the film.

“You have done us all, and the ocean a great service by directly addressing the major challenges we all face in protecting our marine heritage” proclaims Richard Murphy, Ph.D., Director of Science and Education for the Ocean Futures Society.

Producer Marie Le Boeuf says “all of us are capable of making a difference and it is the cumulative efforts of individuals that can turn the tide for the better. We believe that it is not solely the responsibility of any one government or corporation; it is simply up to us. We, as individuals, have the power... and the choice. She reiterates that “anyone interested in protecting Hawaii’s marine life should check out the companion website, which is a huge resource of information.”

The filmmakers will be on hand to take orders for the specially discounted pre-release DVD, which can also be ordered online from their website. The DVD’s will be packaged in a 100% recycled plastic case, with recycled paper printed with non-toxic ink inserts and will be “wafer sealed” rather than shrink wrapped for the most environmentally-friendly packaging available. The DVD includes the hour-long film plus 45 minutes of bonus footage including an interactive Hawaiian marine life guide and extended interviews with the experts. Go here to see video of some of the bonus material- http://www.oasisofthepacific.com/oppages/popupdvdclipshome.html

Film reviewers: to receive a preview copy of the documentary, please email marie@zeroimpactproductions.com or call 808.280.1942. Interviews with the filmmakers may be arranged.


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