From left, Dr. Tom Vendetti and Keola and Moana Beamer received an award for Environmental Activism in Film at the 2018 Taos Film Festival in New Mexico.

LAHAINA – Lahaina residents Keola and Moana Beamer recently received an award for Environmental Activism in Film at the 2018 Taos Film Festival in New Mexico. The award, shared with Maui residents Dr. Tom Vendetti and Robert Stone, is inspired by the positive social changes that film can encourage.

Coinciding with Earth Day, the theme of the 2018 festival was “Finding True Happiness in an Unsettled World.”

Keola, a multi-award-winning musician and legendary slack key guitarist, is a world-renowned Native Hawaiian musician. His wife, Moana, has expanded her role in his performances through dance, chants, singing background vocals and playing several ancient Hawaiian percussive instruments. Together, they have been traveling with Vendetti and making films that bring Hawaiian music and dance to the world.

The Beamers agreed, “We are honored to receive an award from the 2018 Taos Film Festival for making inspirational films, including ‘Tibetan Illusion Destroyer,’ which point toward positive changes for humanity.”