Maui Film & Research, Inc.

We are a Maui-based non-profit organization that is the Executive Producer of “Tandy MacKenzie, Hawaii’s Greatest Opera Star.”

We are a small group of dedicated filmmakers, researchers and authors who are committed to the preservation of Hawaii’s history and culture, who formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt, charitable organization, Maui Film and Research, Inc., to fulfill our mission below.

Our Mission Statement

We are dedicated to preserving and protecting Hawai’i’s unique land and culture by recording its history, music, stories and ceremonies in a digital archive of original research and documentaries to share via a website and easy-to-access audio-visual media for the education and enjoyment of all.

Wayne Moniz (President of Maui Film & Research)

Born and raised on Maui, Wayne Moniz received a B.A. in English and Communications in 1968 from the University of Dayton, Ohio. In 1980 he was awarded an M.A. in Theater Arts – Film from UCLA. In 2005 he received the Cades Award for Literature, Hawaii’s most prestigious writing prize for his body of work. His short story collection of Valley Isle tales won him the Nā Palapala Po`okela 2010 Readers’ Choice Book of the Year. The audio book of Under Maui Skies and Other Stories was nominated for a Grammy in 2012 in the Spoken Word Category. Dubbed “The Dean of Maui Playwrights” by the Maui News. Wayne has written works that deal with the people, events, and issues of Hawai`i.

Guy Gaumont (Executive Director of  Maui Film & Research)

Guy Gaumont was born & raised in Los Angeles & graduated from Loyola High School, after which he signed a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals which assured him of having his college paid for. Guy graduated from ASU with a marketing degree & later moved to the Reno – Lake Tahoe area where he first worked at Harrah’s Casino as a blackjack, craps & baccarat dealer.  Guy took several film classes in Reno & he has become an accomplished cameraman & editor.

Chivo Ching-Johnson (Vice President of  Maui Film & Research)

Chivo Ching-Johnson was born in Mt. Vernon, Washington, & is a graduate of its namesake high school. He studied Theology and Art at Skagit Valley College and UH Maui College. He was a former DJ at both KAOI and KNUI FM Radio & also studied Film & Television at Maui College. He is the Director of Government Access & a personality & host of TMDR, The Maui Daily Report & an executive at AKAKU, Maui’s Public Access Channel.

Laurel Douglass (Secretary/Treasurer of  Maui Film & Research)

Laurel Douglass was born & raised in a missionary family (Cooke) on Oahu & graduated from Punahou. After graduation Laurel went to Missouri & attended Lindenwood college where she studied literature & poetry. Laurel’s next big step was getting married & starting a family & moving to Reno where she worked at Harrah’s Casino as a blackjack dealer. Later Laurel became immersed in Hawaiian history as to what role her family played in it. Laurel continues to do extensive research in the field of Hawaiian history.

Kuuipo Kaauamo Naone Bio (Board Member of Maui Film & Research)

Kuuipo Kaauamo Naone — from the Ahupuaʻa of Pāʻuwalu, Maui – was raised by her kūpuna and ʻohana of Wailuanui, Keʻanae, where the Kaauamo ʻohana continues to mālama the ʻāina. With over 29 years in the health field, she carries her kuleana as a genealogical researcher, dedicated to ka pilina—the sacred connections between people, place, and time.

Robb Gardner Bio (Board Member of Maui Film & Research)

Robb Gardner is a 31 year veteran of the Feature Film, television and video game industry. His artistic and technical expertise in Visual Effects has contributed to the Oscar winning films Spiderman2, Rango, and the Avatar films. In the span of his vast career he has worked on over 20 of the highest grossing films of all time including Star Wars, Marvel films, The Hobbit, King Kong, and Jurassic World. Currently, his evolution in emerging and nascent technologies has led him to key roles as Visual Effects Supervisor and Cinematographer on indie features, and art director positions in the video game industry.

Robb currently presides in Bangkok Thailand in the role of Visual Effects Supervisor at The Monk Studios, leading an animated film that implements groundbreaking game engine technology and A.I., driven by artistic acumen.