Meet Kapena Liu

We were lucky to catch up with Kapena Liu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kapena with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I owe a lot of my work ethic to my dad. He always had a sense of urgency and an incredible attention to detail. For him, everything had to be done the right way, without cutting corners. As much as it annoyed me growing up, it’s now become a characteristic I deeply value. I also have to thank Chef Chris Blanc, who I worked under during my days in the restaurant industry. Despite the years that have passed, the life lessons I took from him have stuck with me and continue to influence my approach to my work.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Aloha ia oukou apau loa, o wau o Kapena Liu. Ua hanau a hanai ia wau ma Oahu. He kanaka hana kii onioni wau.
Aloha, my name is Kapena Liu. I’m a filmmaker born and raised on Oahu. My work is heavily influenced by my family and my life growing up here in Hawaii. I made my directorial debut in 2023 alongside my friend Kurt Hoffmann with our film “Blue Fish”. Currently, I’m working on a documentary about the traditional Hawaiian language and the history that led to it’s current state. What I love about the Hawaii filmmaking scene, particularly within the Native Hawaiian filmmaking community, is that there’s still so much opportunity to bring untold stories and unseen perspectives to the screen.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Stay open minded, cultivate self discipline, and put in the effort. Adaptability is key to thriving in any situation you encounter. Learning to roll with the punches will help you manage stressful situations. Mastering your craft—whatever it may be—requires consistency, which is rooted in self-discipline. Always set aside time even if it’s only a little bit here and there to hone that craft. Put in the extra effort and go beyond what’s asked/expected. Don’t always just do the bare minimum. This dedication almost always leads to rewarding outcomes. I can honestly say that at least for own experience.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The documentary I’m currently working on has been filled with challenges that often feel overwhelming. Its focus on a unique and specific issue means there’s no clear blueprint to guide me, leaving me to navigate uncharted territory. I’ve faced countless dead ends that have made me question how I’ll ever see it through to completion. But whenever doubt creeps in, I remind myself of the powerful moments we’ve already captured and the vision I have for the finished film. That reminder always reignites my determination and drives me to keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: kapenakoa

Image Credits

Casey Liu – @caseykaui
Heaven Zhang – @heavenzjpg