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Producers for the movie version of the “Ni’ihau Incident” are casting white actors to play people of color. Actor Zack McGowan will play Native Hawaiian Benehakaka “Ben” Kanahele, who was a key figure in the World War II event. It’s a true account of a Japanese pilot who crashed on a Hawaiian island. The choice of McGowan in the lead prompts the recurring question of why the role wasn’t offered to a Native Hawaiian. It also highlights Hollywood’s long history of whitewashing movie characters.
Guests:
Dr. Keao NeSmith (Native Hawaiian) – consultant and researcher
Moses Goods (Native Hawaiian) – actor, playwright and storyteller
Conrad Lihilihi (mixed Native Hawaiian) – filmmaker
Brían Wescott (Athabascan/Yup’ik) – actor member of the National Native Americans Committee at the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
SAG-AFTRA phone number (855) SAG-AFTRA / (855) 724-2387
Break music: Everything’s Gonna Be All Right (song) Twice As Good (artist) That’s All I Need (album)
Wonderful interview. I am Native Tahitian, but often get mistaken for African-American here in Hollywood, b/c people think Islanders should look Asian! Incredibly frustrating.