What’s Project Shaka?

Project Shaka is a movement that seeks to share and activate aloha through the Shaka gesture. It grew from, and is anchored by, a feature-length documentary produced by Hawai’i nonprofit ID8 (ide•ate) entitled, “Shaka, A Story of Aloha.”

The film, “Shaka, A Story of Aloha” is a feature-length documentary that invites viewers to embark on a global quest, from Japan’s temples to Brazil’s beaches to Hawaii’s epic North Shore waves, to unravel the mysteries of the Shaka gesture, discover its origin, meanings and uses, and how itʻs the secret to paradise. Viewers learn how the Shaka is an ideal tool to apply the Hawaiian concepts of being pono, sharing aloha and fostering aloha ’aina to make the world a better place. The story also reveals that Hawai’i was not initially paradise. It was rough. It was tough. Resources were limited. But through the philosophy of aloha, paradise was built from grit, determination and cooperation. To this day, the concept of paradise relies on these same principles.

Says producer/writer, Steve Sue, “The Shaka symbolizes the version of Hawai’i that’s known as paradise. As a gesture, it helps people emotionally connect with the spirit and feeling of aloha. Once you learn the story of the Shaka, you’ll be empowered to share aloha like never before.” He continues, “The Shaka is the secret to activating aloha, so we’re building a movement around it starting with the film. Anyone with aloha in their heart is invited to join Project Shaka to make the world a better place through the Shaka.”

Project Shaka is several programs geared to share aloha through the Shaka including:

• The “Shaka, A Story of Aloha” feature-length documentary.
• Free Shaka Sticker Program.
• An Official Hawai’i DMV Shaka License Plate Program (became available to all Hawai’i State residents, May, 2024 on all Hawaiian Islands).
• Shaka Curriculum, (in development in partnership with Choosen Love Movement under grant form Hawai’i Department of Education due for release in Fall 2024).
• The Shaka Gesture adopted as Hawaiiʻs Official State Gesture (the first official state gesture in America, adopted June, 2024).
• Shaka Emoji Application (the commonly used emoji for Shaka is “Call Me”)
• Shaka Monuments Program (in development as driected by the Shaka Gesture Law).
• Product Collaborations

Film Backstory

“Shaka, A Story of Aloha” was first-funded by Kamehameha Schools and features an award-winning artistic team including Grammy-nominated Hawai‘i music legend Henry Kapono as Music Director, Hawaiian film director and University of Hawaii ACM graduate Alex Bocchieri, Bryan Spicer as co-Executive Producer (producer/director of Hawaii Five-O and Magnum PI) and Steve Sue as executive producer, producer and writer. Sneak-peeks begin in June, 2023 and continue through the end of the year. First film festivals are scheduled for Spring 2024 with commercial distribution thereafter.

Nonprofit Producer

ID8 (pronounced ide•ate) is a Hawaii-based 501C3 nonprofit organization that fosters ideation and expression to create positive impacts. It is the producer of both Project Shaka and “Shaka, A Story of Aloha.” Learn more at ID8.org »

Media Contact: Email Steve Sue »