Zakwest Productions INC

Introduction John Zak Biography Images by John C. Zak What's New Contact Us Links Of Interest PULE WAILELE DOCUMENTARY FILM MORE ZAK IMAGES ZAK IMAGES 3 ZAK IMAGES 4 FRACTAL UNIVERSE POETRY AND MUSINGS Guest Book FLEETING IMAGES

OVERVIEW


Zakwest Productions, Inc was founded in 2001 by John C. Zak to produce film, television, and photographic projects of highest quality, that speak to the heart as well as to the mind. Since its inception, Zakwest Productions has created two full length documentary films, several audio programs and, in collaboration with Makana Chai, of HAWAIIAN INSIGHTS, produced a new hard cover book on the art and craft of Hawaiian lomilomi massage. In addition,  John Zak's photography has been published in numerous books and magazines, Including MODALITIES FOR MASSAGE, published by Elsevier, and AN ISLAND SPA EXPERIENCE, published by Hawaiian Heritage. Zak's films are a part of the permanent archive of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. Future projects include a feature length comedy called THE ART OF WEDDING and a book for young people and adults, called POOKIE MEETS THE PRINCESS.
 
Our newest project is a full length feature film called THE FINE ART OF FORGIVENESS. See the "WHAT'S NEW" page for more details.
 
John Zak's hour-long documentary film, PULE WAILELE (HAWAIIAN WATERFALL PRAYER) screened at the Honoka'a People's Theatre in Honoka'a, on Hawaii island, on the evening of October 12, 2008. This screening, a double feature with THE HAWAIIANS, a documentary film by Edgy Lee, was part of a two day film festival scheduled for October 11th and 12th, 2008.
Other screenings included The Hawaii Film Ho'ike, which took place on September 7, 2008, at the venerable Palace Theatre in Hilo Hawaii. Those in attendance showed their appreciation for the themes of both films. The screening was dedicated to the memory of Papa K Kepilino, a notable kupuna and kumu lomilomi who recently passed away in Hilo after many years of health challenges. Papa K brought joy to all who had the pleasure of interacting with him, and he was featured prominently in PULE WAILELE, recounting his three-week spiritual initiation in the high rain forest of Hawaii Island. Papa K was also known for his fluency in the Hawaiian language which he taught at University of Hawaii, Hilo. He knew old ways and traditions of the Hawaiian culture and was widely viewed to be an encyclopedia of wisdom.
 
On a personal note, I will never forget attending a lomilomi conference with him one year. We were at a home in Kalapana on Hawaii Island, near where lava had recently flowed. Today, more than ever, Kalapana is a potent place where Madame Pele's mana is seen and felt on deep levels. After attending a demonstration of poi preparation given by a young Hawaiian man, Papa K struck up a conversation with him in the Hawaiian language. Neither was aware of being overheard by me....It was a touching, chicken skin moment as I listened to these two Hawaiians of very different generations communicating easily and fluidly in the language of their homeland. It reminded me of the brilliant reality that the culture of Hawaii is very much alive and full of the breath of "HA." It felt and sounded right to me to hear these words in counterpoint to the murmur of a breeze through the palms, and the distant roar of crystalline waves breaking on a black-as-night beach. We will miss Papa K. He was one of the most unique of ke akua's children.  I feel truly blessed that our life paths crisscrossed over the years.
 HAWAIIAN MASSAGE LOMILOMI, SACRED TOUCH OF ALOHA, by Makana Chai and John Kalani Zak, was awarded a 2008 prize by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, for its contribution to perpetuating cultural practices in Hawaii. To order your copy, see LINKS OF INTEREST page.

PULE WAILELE (Waterfall Prayer) is Zakwest's latest film. Originated in 1080i High Definition, the one-hour film explores Hawaii's breathtaking natural environments and illuminates the lives of Hawaiians who are reconnecting to their culture through reconnecting to the land. It also reveals a glimpse into Hawaiians' unique, inspiring way of relating to the world and to nature. It can be ordered on Widescreen DVD from BOOKLINES HAWAII. See the "Links of Interest" page.

Other recent films include HAWAIIAN HEALING, a documentary that explores the countless ways healing is woven into Hawaiian culture, music, art and daily life. The film premiered to sold out houses at the Hawaii International Film Festival.Interviews include conversations with Aunty Mary Fragas, Aunty Mona Kahele, Roland Cazimero, Kai Kaholokai, Brenda Ignacio, Dane Silva, Haunani Hopkins, Angela Perez Baraquio, and Emma Veary. It is available on DVD through Booklines Hawaii and Amazon.com. (See "Links of interest Page.") HAWAIIAN MEDITATIONS focuses on meditation and contemplation as practiced for centuries in Hawaii. It includes interviews with Hawaiian healing practitioners, Brenda Mohalapua Ignacio, and Dane Silva, accompanied by a compelling guided meditation that features beautiful imagery, music and narration. This film, on DVD, will find a home with visitors to Hawaii, as well as being a powerful tool for those facing stress situations in their personal and professional lives. It is currently in use by doctors and other healing professionals to assist patients facing or recovering from surgery. It is also available through Booklines Hawaii. (See "Links of Interest Page.")

LEARN ABOUT JOHN ZAK'S NEW BOOK, IN COLLABORATION WITH DESIGNER, RAUL RODRIGUEZ: "POOKIE MEETS THE PRINCESS" AND JOHN ZAK'S NEW PHOTO BOOK, "SOME THINGS I'VE SEEN..." SEE "WHAT'S NEW" PAGE

In addition to putting his deep love for Hawaii and her people on film, John Zak is also creating other international projects with compelling themes.Set in New Mexico and India, HEART OF HEAVEN, SOUL OF EARTH is a feature film script written by John Zak, which mines the depths of cross cultural boundaries as experienced through the eyes of a Native American man and a Rajasthani woman.
Television projects in development include MOMS, a talk-interview series that delves into the lives of today's celebrities, movers, and shakers through the eyes of the one person who knows them best, Mom. The format will be available for international production. Look forward to seeing LAS MAMIS, LES MAMANS, etc.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Please note that all text passages and images appearing on this site are created by and property of John C. Zak and Zakwest Productions INC. They are protected under United States and International copyright law. No usage of the text or images by any company or individual is authorized, either on the web, or in print, without prior written authorization of John Zak and Zakwest Productions INC. Failure to comply can result in prosecution in a court of law. Please honor this notice.

ISSUES AND BLESSINGS AUDIO/RADIO SERIES

ZAKWEST PRODUCTIONS is producing a series of audio programs entitled ISSUES AND BLESSINGS. John Zak, M.A. Spiritual Psychology, hosts the series, which explores ways in which we can turn apparent tragedies and loss in our lives into opportunities for learning and healing. The series will include talks by Zak, and interviews with special guests who will share their own stories of learning and healing. Broadcasters interested in the series are invited to contact us at the link on this page. Episodes 1 and 2, offered together on one CD, are now available for sale on 12.95. If you are interested in ordering a copy, please contact us at our e mail address. Other episodes will be available shortly. LISTEN TO EPISODE ONE ON PODCAST : http://web.mac.com/jzak1

Other current projects include a beautiful hard cover book on LomiLomi Hawaiian massage (see image at right) created in collaboration with Makana Chai. Makana wrote the text and John Zak shot original photographs of Hawaiian healing practitioners from all over the islands. The book will be available in November of 2007, if not before. The press run will be limited so we recommend ordering right away so as to guarantee that you will receive a copy. Information on ordering and a list of some of the healing practitioners included in the book can be found on the "WHAT'S NEW" page of this website.

FINE PHOTOGRAPHY

JOHN KALANI ZAK brings many years of experience to his work as a photographer. He was a student of acclaimed Hollywood photographer, George Hurrell, and is a member of the International Institute of Photography.  John specializes in fine portraits, books, annual reports, magazines and other high end projects where a unified, elegant look is desired. He can be contacted through this website and is avaiable for shoots both in Hawaii, on the Mainland and Overseas. Recent book releases include a collaboratiobn with Makana Chai on a new book about the Hawaiian healing practice of Lomilomi. In addition, Zak has just released a new hard cover photographic book entitled, "SOME THINGS, I'VE SEEN..."See "What's New" page for details. 
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