A Paradise Lost
Mililani, Hawaii | Film Feature
Documentary, Nature
Palila was the first animal to sue humans, plaintiffs brought a stuffed bird to court, which sat on the table during Palila v. Hawaii. The story is told from the perspective of a bird, an animated Voice of Nature about Hawaiian extinction, climate change and biodiversity loss.
A Paradise Lost
Mililani, Hawaii | Film Feature
Documentary, Nature
1 Campaigns | Hawaii, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $25,000 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
75 supporters | followers
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Palila was the first animal to sue humans, plaintiffs brought a stuffed bird to court, which sat on the table during Palila v. Hawaii. The story is told from the perspective of a bird, an animated Voice of Nature about Hawaiian extinction, climate change and biodiversity loss.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A PARADISE LOST is the poetic, heartbreaking story of a rare Hawaiian bird’s struggle to survive in the age of extinction and resistance. At the heart of the film is the Palila — a critically endangered songbird found only on Mauna Kea, a sacred mountain on the island of Hawai‘i. Once numbering in the thousands, these beautiful birds have endured loss due to deforestation, invasive species, and systemic neglect.
But this film is not just a story of loss. It is the story of love for a bird, one who took humanity to court to save its kind.
Narrated from Palila's perspective by Native Hawaiian actor Kaipo Schwab, and brought to life through vivid animation and live footage, A PARADISE LOST retells the little-known, historic 1979 court case Palila v. Hawai‘i, in which the finch became the first animal plaintiff under the newly passed Endangered Species Act. Backed by a courageous community of bird lovers, scientists and environmental groups, Palila’s lawsuit became a voice for animal rights and a critical tool for preventing U.S. species extinction.
Trailer
Through a visually lush mosaic of exquisite hand-drawn animation, archival treasures, poignant interviews, and immersive vérité, A PARADISE LOST breathes new life into natural history and environmental justice documentary filmmaking. Hawaiian animated characters who are “friends” with Palila–a tree, a volcano, a goddess, and extinct birds–intertwine non-human ways of being.
More than four decades later, the threats to the Palila have only intensified. A PARADISE LOST embraces hope in Native Hawaiians leading the way to the future. Kalā Asing-Lindsey is Palila’s current human ally leading the Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project. As a Native Hawaiian with 14th generation ancestral ties to Mauna Kea, Kalā integrates his cultural knowledge and science to restore mamane forests. What does it mean to fight for life, even when the odds are against us?
Inspired by Aloha ‘Āina – love and stewardship for the land — the film presents the humble resilience of many hands who work to protect all life on Mauna Kea, the sacred center of the Hawaiian Islands. A meditation on finding light against the darkening skies of widespread global extinction; A PARADISE LOST speaks for the forgotten, a delicate plea to witness what still remains.
Help us to the finish line!
This film is independently produced and 15 years in the making. The journey of this film began as a short documentary titled Struggle for Existence (2010), which had a successful festival run (CUNY Asian American Film Festival, American Conservation Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, DOCUtah, and NY Asian American Film Festival). We received funding support from Firelight Media and Pacific Islanders in Communication, through Center for Public Broadcasting, which means it will receive US distribution on PBS.
Now, we are nearly pau (finished) with our feature-length documentary, our film is having its World Premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival!
Mission Statement
To honor the Palila v. Hawaii’s legacy in preventing harm to endangered species, invest in the future for healthy Hawaiian forests, ola wai, the source of life, and ‘āina (land), and inspire empathy for interspecies care of people, plants and animals.
By supporting our finishing campaign, you’re helping us with:
- Post-Production & Animation expenses (color, sound, graphics, titles, archival media). Preparing the film for release includes creating film file for festivals, post house costs and delivery. ($20K)
- Marketing (digital design, posters, postcards, trailer, PR). Getting the word out for screenings, festival submissions fees and travel expeneses add up! We fortunately have world-class film marketing pros with Hollywood and indie film credentials (A24, Kino Lorber, Warner Bros) enlisted to help tell our story. ($5K)
Over time, we have collaborated with an incredible group of individuals and organizations representing indigenous, scientific, and legal communities to ensure the Palila birds’ story is told with integrity and depth. PARADISE LOST is our offering: a careful act of remembering the past, a document of the present hopeful progress, a call to communities to imagine futures rooted in care and reciprocity.
Your support helps us honor the Palila species, and becomes a commitment to our shared interspecies survival!
We are excited to be reaching the end of our long journey, and can’t wait to share this film with the world. We hope you’ll JOIN THE FLOCK.
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded.
We must reach this goal in 30 days, or we won't receive any donations. We need your help to fundraise a minimum of $20,000 of our $25,000 total. If we are successful, then we can support impact, outreach and educational efforts.
Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much!)
–Laurie Sumiye & the APL Crew
Follow us on social media
IG: @AParadiseLostMovie, FB: @AParadiseLostMovie, BLUESKY: @aparadiselost.bsky.social
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Marketing Design
Costs $5,000
Pay our rock star marketing & design team.
Animation & Credits
Costs $15,000
Additional work to complete animation, graphics and end title credits for the film.
Post House
Costs $5,000
Costs for finishing and exporting the film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Laurie Sumiye
Director, Producer, Writer & Animator
Laurie Sumiye is a Japanese-American artist and filmmaker from Mililani, Hawai’i who investigates environmental tensions between humans and nature. Her background in interactive media and design informs her drawings, paintings, animations, sculptures and installations. She has exhibited her work in New York, Los Angeles, Hawai’i, the UK, South Africa and Brazil and screened her award-winning short films at DOC NYC, BAM cinemaFest, DOCUTAH, and PS1MoMA. She was awarded film fellowships with Firelight Media, Sundance Institute and Jackson Wild.
Anne Misawa
Producer, Director of Photography
Anne Misawa is an award-winning Director of Photography and Producer of narrative and documentary film for over 25 years. Anne was a Spirit nominee for Best Cinematography, TREELESS MOUNTAIN (dir. So Yong Kim). Her films have screened at Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival, BFI Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival among many others. She teaches at University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Nicole Tsien
Co-Producer
Nicole Tsien is an independent producer based in Queens, New York. Her 10+ year career in film/TV spans programming, curation, development and distribution at POV as Co-Producer and CNN Films as the Director of Program Development.. She’s participated on panels and juries, including CAAMFest, DOC NYC, and Austin Film Festival. Passionate about uplifting BIPOC voices in non-fiction, Nicole was honored as an Sundance Producing Fellow, DOCNYC Documentary New Leaders recipient and Rockwood JustFilms Fellow.
Valerie Y.O. Kim
Co-Executive Producer
Valerie Yong Ock Kim grew up on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, is a fine art photographer of Okinawan and Korean descent. Valerie formerly worked as a Location Manager on feature films in Hollywood over 20 years, for Oscar-winning Directors such as Ang Lee, Julie Taymor. Her photography embraces the simplicity and elegance of the Hawaiian traditions with which she was raised.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A PARADISE LOST is the poetic, heartbreaking story of a rare Hawaiian bird’s struggle to survive in the age of extinction and resistance. At the heart of the film is the Palila — a critically endangered songbird found only on Mauna Kea, a sacred mountain on the island of Hawai‘i. Once numbering in the thousands, these beautiful birds have endured loss due to deforestation, invasive species, and systemic neglect.
But this film is not just a story of loss. It is the story of love for a bird, one who took humanity to court to save its kind.
Narrated from Palila's perspective by Native Hawaiian actor Kaipo Schwab, and brought to life through vivid animation and live footage, A PARADISE LOST retells the little-known, historic 1979 court case Palila v. Hawai‘i, in which the finch became the first animal plaintiff under the newly passed Endangered Species Act. Backed by a courageous community of bird lovers, scientists and environmental groups, Palila’s lawsuit became a voice for animal rights and a critical tool for preventing U.S. species extinction.
Trailer
Through a visually lush mosaic of exquisite hand-drawn animation, archival treasures, poignant interviews, and immersive vérité, A PARADISE LOST breathes new life into natural history and environmental justice documentary filmmaking. Hawaiian animated characters who are “friends” with Palila–a tree, a volcano, a goddess, and extinct birds–intertwine non-human ways of being.
More than four decades later, the threats to the Palila have only intensified. A PARADISE LOST embraces hope in Native Hawaiians leading the way to the future. Kalā Asing-Lindsey is Palila’s current human ally leading the Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project. As a Native Hawaiian with 14th generation ancestral ties to Mauna Kea, Kalā integrates his cultural knowledge and science to restore mamane forests. What does it mean to fight for life, even when the odds are against us?
Inspired by Aloha ‘Āina – love and stewardship for the land — the film presents the humble resilience of many hands who work to protect all life on Mauna Kea, the sacred center of the Hawaiian Islands. A meditation on finding light against the darkening skies of widespread global extinction; A PARADISE LOST speaks for the forgotten, a delicate plea to witness what still remains.
Help us to the finish line!
This film is independently produced and 15 years in the making. The journey of this film began as a short documentary titled Struggle for Existence (2010), which had a successful festival run (CUNY Asian American Film Festival, American Conservation Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, DOCUtah, and NY Asian American Film Festival). We received funding support from Firelight Media and Pacific Islanders in Communication, through Center for Public Broadcasting, which means it will receive US distribution on PBS.
Now, we are nearly pau (finished) with our feature-length documentary, our film is having its World Premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival!
Mission Statement
To honor the Palila v. Hawaii’s legacy in preventing harm to endangered species, invest in the future for healthy Hawaiian forests, ola wai, the source of life, and ‘āina (land), and inspire empathy for interspecies care of people, plants and animals.
By supporting our finishing campaign, you’re helping us with:
- Post-Production & Animation expenses (color, sound, graphics, titles, archival media). Preparing the film for release includes creating film file for festivals, post house costs and delivery. ($20K)
- Marketing (digital design, posters, postcards, trailer, PR). Getting the word out for screenings, festival submissions fees and travel expeneses add up! We fortunately have world-class film marketing pros with Hollywood and indie film credentials (A24, Kino Lorber, Warner Bros) enlisted to help tell our story. ($5K)
Over time, we have collaborated with an incredible group of individuals and organizations representing indigenous, scientific, and legal communities to ensure the Palila birds’ story is told with integrity and depth. PARADISE LOST is our offering: a careful act of remembering the past, a document of the present hopeful progress, a call to communities to imagine futures rooted in care and reciprocity.
Your support helps us honor the Palila species, and becomes a commitment to our shared interspecies survival!
We are excited to be reaching the end of our long journey, and can’t wait to share this film with the world. We hope you’ll JOIN THE FLOCK.
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded.
We must reach this goal in 30 days, or we won't receive any donations. We need your help to fundraise a minimum of $20,000 of our $25,000 total. If we are successful, then we can support impact, outreach and educational efforts.
Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much!)
–Laurie Sumiye & the APL Crew
Follow us on social media
IG: @AParadiseLostMovie, FB: @AParadiseLostMovie, BLUESKY: @aparadiselost.bsky.social
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Marketing Design
Costs $5,000
Pay our rock star marketing & design team.
Animation & Credits
Costs $15,000
Additional work to complete animation, graphics and end title credits for the film.
Post House
Costs $5,000
Costs for finishing and exporting the film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Laurie Sumiye
Director, Producer, Writer & Animator
Laurie Sumiye is a Japanese-American artist and filmmaker from Mililani, Hawai’i who investigates environmental tensions between humans and nature. Her background in interactive media and design informs her drawings, paintings, animations, sculptures and installations. She has exhibited her work in New York, Los Angeles, Hawai’i, the UK, South Africa and Brazil and screened her award-winning short films at DOC NYC, BAM cinemaFest, DOCUTAH, and PS1MoMA. She was awarded film fellowships with Firelight Media, Sundance Institute and Jackson Wild.
Anne Misawa
Producer, Director of Photography
Anne Misawa is an award-winning Director of Photography and Producer of narrative and documentary film for over 25 years. Anne was a Spirit nominee for Best Cinematography, TREELESS MOUNTAIN (dir. So Yong Kim). Her films have screened at Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival, BFI Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival among many others. She teaches at University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Nicole Tsien
Co-Producer
Nicole Tsien is an independent producer based in Queens, New York. Her 10+ year career in film/TV spans programming, curation, development and distribution at POV as Co-Producer and CNN Films as the Director of Program Development.. She’s participated on panels and juries, including CAAMFest, DOC NYC, and Austin Film Festival. Passionate about uplifting BIPOC voices in non-fiction, Nicole was honored as an Sundance Producing Fellow, DOCNYC Documentary New Leaders recipient and Rockwood JustFilms Fellow.
Valerie Y.O. Kim
Co-Executive Producer
Valerie Yong Ock Kim grew up on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, is a fine art photographer of Okinawan and Korean descent. Valerie formerly worked as a Location Manager on feature films in Hollywood over 20 years, for Oscar-winning Directors such as Ang Lee, Julie Taymor. Her photography embraces the simplicity and elegance of the Hawaiian traditions with which she was raised.