The film world premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in the NEXT category, which is dedicated to innovative and forward-thinking filmmaking.
The narrative is centered on Naz’s impending departure. Unlike typical "escape" narratives where the protagonist hates their hometown, Naz is deeply embedded in Kaimukī. The film asks: “Are you happy or is this just easy?” . Every Day in Kaimuki
As Naz packs his life into boxes, the film highlights the physical and emotional messiness of leaving everything one has ever known. The looming move to New York serves as a catalyst for a series of internal and interpersonal conflicts regarding his sense of self and his commitment to his partner. III. Cinematic Style The film world premiered at the 2022 Sundance
is a 2022 independent film directed by Alika Tengan and written by Tengan and Naz Kawakami. The film is a semi-autobiographical, "slice-of-life" story that follows Naz, a radio DJ in Oʻahu, Hawaii, as he prepares to move to New York City with his girlfriend. The film asks: “Are you happy or is this just easy
Directed by Alika Maikau Tengan, the film is notable as a piece of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) cinema. It subverts typical tourism-based depictions of Hawaii, focusing instead on suburban domesticity, local radio culture, and the mundane realities of millennial life.
Naz Kawakami’s lead performance is frequently described by critics as "unassuming" and "honest," contributing to the film’s authentic indie feel. IV. Cultural and Industry Context