The Unforgettable Awards, previously known as the Unforgettable Gala, returned for its 23rd event on March 7. Although the event usually takes place at the Beverly Hilton in December to wrap up the year, this year’s event took place at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Hollywood, just a few weeks after Lunar New Year. One of the honorees of the year was Te Ao o Hinepehinga, who was honored as the Breakout in TV. Ahead of her award acceptance, Asia Blooming spoke with the actress about streaming series, Chief of War, and how it has helped her step into a new chapter of her life.
Thinking about the impact Chief of War has impacted her life, she’s found hope through it. “In the most important way, I think it empowered me to know that we don’t have to question our place in the industry,” she began. “I think it’s very hard when you don’t see yourself represented. When you’re in an international community, and especially as an artist, you can be very isolated. Being part of people’s world, being surrounded by our fellow filmmakers and storytellers, and being empowered by our recent Hollywood community as well, made me think, ‘No, we’ve got this.’ The path is hard, and it’s treacherous, and change is slow, but we are actually going to be okay, and I keep holding on to that.”
Although the project had a hugely positive impact on her, it was also no easy feat to accomplish. “To prepare for the role, physically, I did a lot of running. I like running now, but I did not like running at the time,” Hinepehinga shared with a laugh. “I’m actually addicted now and run like five miles a day, but I have a dog so even if I didn’t like it, I feel like I would be forced to.” Aside from physical preparation, there was also a lot of time spent on preparing emotionally and mentally for her role as Kupuohi. “A lot of my preparation came from working with my language coach, Kalei Kawa’a. She was instrumental, and everything you see of Kupuohi is Kalei Kawa’a,” she began with admiration and respect clear in her voice. “Her mannerisms, her strength, her softness, and even the tone of her voice at certain parts – this was all inspired by this incredible Kanaka woman who was kind enough to share, not only her time and her language, but her culture and her experience with culture with me.”
Sharing her biggest passion, she revealed that she finds inspiration and passion in art as a whole. “The power of art has really inspired my passion. There’s so much to art, and it’s truly the greatest treasure. It is the opportunity to reflect, and to be inspired,” she said eagerly. “There are so many layers to it, and there’s so much that can be gained from it, not just as a practice in this world. Art is this beautiful key to unlocking a side of the world that I think is necessary to make us want to keep living.”
On what stories she would want to share next, she doesn’t have a clear goal in mind. One thing that she’s certain of, however, is that she wants to continue storytelling to the best of her abilities. “Storytelling is such a huge insight into the human mind, into the human experience, and I think every story holds something new to be discovered about the world, so any story is most exciting,” she started. “It’s a little piece of someone’s life.” Thinking about her own story, she admits she isn’t fully seated in the world yet, but that she’s trying. “I’m still in the process of blooming,” she revealed honestly. “This is all still a new world to me, and I never thought I’d be here, so we’re still in the process of growing and blooming.”
