Among the facets of the Hawaiian renaissance being chronicled and nurtured by a diverse cadre of caretakers, filmmakers, and community activists—including ‘ōlelo, hula, mele, mālama hāloa / lo‘i kalo, loko iʻa, kakau, and others—one practice has remained largely absent from widespread recognition for its deep and abiding role in Hawaiian culture: the custom of pā‘ū riding by the wahine holo lio.

This film, Pā‘ū, follows a multigenerational horse-riding unit as it embarks on a year-long preparation to represent the island of Ni‘ihau during the 100th anniversary of the King Kamehameha floral parade celebration.

Pā‘ū explores the past, told through the stories and voices of former riders, paniolos, and pā‘ū queens; the present, told through the trials, motivations, and experiences of the Ni‘ihau unit; and the future, exemplified by a passing of the torch from one generation to the next as the film highlights a generation of young cultural activists intent on perpetuating pā‘ū.

PĀʻŪ is a recipient of Production funding from PIC's Media Fund.