(KAPOLEI) — Regal Kapolei Commons 12, Hawaiʻi’s first luxury movie theater, is partnering with the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, with support from UH’s Academy for Creative Media System, to bring more student-produced films to theater audiences.
The centerpiece of the agreement is the annual creation of a community trailer – written, produced, and directed by UH West Oʻahu students – to debut at the luxury theater every spring. The trailer will run exclusively at Regal’s flagship venue in Hawaiʻi for three months.
The partnership is an offshoot of the successful “West is Best” trailer (https://youtu.be/0wSypetfqSg) that premiered on Regal Kapolei Commons 12’s big screen during its Grand Opening in April. Students from the Academy wrote, scored, directed and edited the short, community-centric film, which was a celebration of the Leeward way of life.
“’West is Best” was an enormous success. Residents had an overwhelmingly positive response to seeing their local landmarks and activities featured in such a creative, high-profile way,” said Duncan MacNaughton, Chairman of The MacNaughton Group which is one of the owners of the theater along with Kobayashi Group and Craig Realty Group. “This new partnership between Regal Kapolei Commons 12 and the ACM will give young filmmakers an ongoing platform for their talents.”
Earlier this year The Regal Foundation donated $25,000 to the Academy via proceeds from Regal Kapolei Commons 12’s April preview events. The donation will support student scholarships, student workshops with industry experts, and new equipment and supplies for Creative Media faculty and majors. Additional contributions to the Academy will further support the program’s mission to enable students to develop unique skill sets for continued educational and professional development.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous donations to the ACM on behalf of Regal Kapolei Commons 12,” said Doris Ching, University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu interim chancellor. “We are proud of these exceptional students, and this new partnership will further empower them to tell their own stories in their own way.”
“Regal Kapolei Commons 12, led by The MacNaughton Group and Kobayashi Group, cares about the community,” said Chris Lee, Director and Founder of the Academy for Creative Media. “This is UHWO ACM’s first corporate partner and solidifies industry’s commitment to supporting programs that benefit education and the arts. We are delighted they have agreed to continue to showcase the work of our young, homegrown filmmakers.”
“We commend Chris Lee for bringing his expertise to this partnership, and for giving students this unique opportunity to showcase their talents,” said Patrick Kobayashi, President of Kobayashi Group. “He is a tremendous asset to this program and the local film community.”
The MacNaughton Group:
The MacNaughton Group is recognized as one of the most active real estate development and investment companies in the State of Hawaii, leveraging over four decades of experience and strong local relationships. Since inception in 1967, The MacNaughton Group has demonstrated a track record of success with a cumulative Hawaii-based portfolio in excess of 8 million square feet. Over the last several decades, The MacNaughton Group has helped shape the “lifestyle landscape” of Hawaii through the development of a number of the state’s most well-recognized projects including Waikele Center, Kapolei and Kona Commons. It has also co-developed Honolulu’s premier luxury high-rise condominiums Hokua at 1288 Ala Moana, Capitol Place in Downtown Honolulu, and ONE Ala Moana.
Kobayashi Group:
Kobayashi Group is a Hawaii-based real estate development and investment firm of residential, resort, commercial, hospital, medical research and municipal projects. The principals of the company are Patrick K. Kobayashi, Bert A. Kobayashi, Jr., Kathryn W. Inouye and Alana Kobayashi Pakkala. Founder Bert A. Kobayashi, Sr. serves as a senior advisor. The company is regarded as one of the State’s premier real estate developers. Its various principals have received individual statewide recognition and the company was recognized as Developer of the Year in 2006. The company has been involved in the development of projects totaling over $4.0 billion in Hawaii. Along with the highly-anticipated luxury residential condominium Park Lane Ala Moana, major projects include the luxury high-rise condominium ONE Ala Moana, located at the largest renowned shopping mall on Oahu and the development of the exclusive private resort community, Kuk io Golf and Beach Club on the Big Island. Other projects include the development of the ANdAZ Resort and Residences in Wailea, Maui and Kapolei & Kona Commons. It is also a partner in the planning and redevelopment of the Four Seasons Hualalai and the Kona Village Resort. Kobayashi Group also managed the development of Honolulu’s premier luxury high-rise condominium, Hokua at 1288 Ala Moana Boulevard and the luxury residential high-rise condominium in Downtown Honolulu known as Capitol Place. Kobayashi Group has also project managed the development of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children’s master plan and the new Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit building, as well as the University of Hawaii’s Cancer Research Center.
Regal Entertainment Group:
Regal Entertainment Group operates the largest and most geographically diverse theater circuit in the United States, consisting of 7,357 screens in 571 theatres in 42 states along with Guam, American Samoa and the District of Columbia as of October 31, 2015. The Company operates theatres in 46 of the top 50 U.S. designated market areas. We believe that the size, reach and quality of the Company’s theatre circuit not only provide its patrons with a convenient and enjoyable movie-going experience, but is also an exceptional platform to realize economies of scale in theater operations.
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu:
Established in 1976, the University of Hawaiʻi – West O‘ahu is an indigenous-serving institution that offers quality education, small class sizes, and personalized attention. UH West O‘ahu has the newest bachelor’s degree-granting campus in the University of Hawaiʻi System, serving approximately 2,700 students with academic programs that emphasize interdisciplinary and cross-cultural studies. UH West Oʻahu commemorates its 40th anniversary in 2016. For more information, visit www.uhwo.hawaii.edu, call (808) 689-2800 or toll-free (866) 299-8656. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.
UH West Oʻahu’s Academy for Creative Media:
UH Academy for Creative Media System supports and coordinates the creative media studies efforts among the UH campuses. UH West Oʻahu serves as the hub for creative media education for the UH System through its articulation agreements with all of the System’s community colleges. Taking advantage of the system-wide approach, UH West Oʻahu’s program enables students to develop unique skill sets at the community colleges and transfer seamlessly to UH West Oʻahu for continued scholarship and professional development.