about me
Keoni Kealoha Alvarez is a Native Hawaiian filmmaker, producer, director, and cultural storyteller from Puna on Hawaiʻi Island. A graduate of Pāhoa High School, Alvarez began his career in the film industry in 1999, where he was mentored by respected filmmakers and developed his skills in filmmaking, editing, producing, and visual storytelling.
Throughout his career, Alvarez’s work has taken him around the world, providing opportunities to share Native Hawaiian culture, history, and perspectives with diverse audiences. He has also worked with ʻŌlelo Community Media, supporting community-based media and helping empower youth and communities to tell their own stories.
Alvarez is committed to using film as a powerful platform to preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture and history. His long-term vision is to create motion pictures that bring authentic Hawaiian stories to audiences worldwide while honoring the voices, knowledge, experiences, and traditions of the Hawaiian people.
education
1999- Present Hawaiʻi Island - Na Leo O Hawaii Public Access Station Producer
2011 Fire Light Media Director
2011 WGBH Producers Academy Producer/Director
2015 – Present Oʻahu - ‘Olelo Community Media Center Producer
2023 - Present Kauaʻi - Hoike Community Media Producer
2023 - Present Maui - Akaku Media Center Producer
Training & Workshops
2011
Production: Rocking the Boat
Job Title: Film Editor
Documentary
Producer: JC Communications
2012
Production: What is this thing called Aloha?
Job Title: Film Editor
Documentary
Producer: Tropical Visions Hawaii
2012 – 2014
Production: Norwegian Cruise Line
Job Title: Broadcast Technician
Producer: Norwegian Cruise Line
2014-2018
Production: Spectrum Sports
Job Title: Utility/Camera
Producer: NEP Super Shooters
2020
Peace Corps Training on the Big Island
Job Title: Film Editor
Documentary
Producer: Bill Sakovich
2023
KAPU "Sacred Hawaiian Burials"
Documentary
Job Title: Producer, Director and Editor
Broadcast: PBS Hawaii
2025
Maui Deadly Fire Storm
"Emmy Award Winner"
Documentary
Job Title: Field Producer
Broadcast: Frontline PBS International
2026
Resting in the Sands
Documentary
Job Title: Producer/Director
Broadcast: PBS Hawaiʻi
Special Skills
Professional Skills: Producing, directing, editing, and photography. Proficient in Mac-based programs, including Final Cut Pro X, LiveType, Soundtrack, and DVD Studio Pro, as well as PC-based programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. Additional skills include Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, web design, and web hosting.
My film career began in 1999, and since then, I have worked on HD television, commercial, and film projects, producing high-quality programming. My professional strengths include writing, producing, directing, and editing, with experience across a variety of formats, including broadcast television series, documentaries, animation, film, and web-based media.
