As an independent filmmaker and a hula dancer, Lisette Marie Flanary creates documentary films that celebrate a modern renaissance of the hula dance and Hawaiian culture. Her award-winning film, Na Kamalei: The Men of Hula, featuring legendary Hawaiian master hula teacher and entertainer, Robert Cazimero, screened in numerous film festivals around the country. Na Kamalei: The Men of Hula was broadcast nationally on the 2007-2008 Independent Lens series on PBS in May 2008 and it was the winner of the Audience Award for the series. The Lehua: the first flower to bloom after a lava flow, the lehua flower has been seen as a symbol of strength in Hawaiian culture since ancient times. Famous in songs and myths, the storytellers of old would never fail to attach their descriptions of beauty to the vibrant red lehua blossoms. It is the official flower of the island of Hawaii
