Saturday, December 31, 2022

A New Year, A New Logo, A New (Old) Film

Aloha, Hip Hapa Homeez!


Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! Akemashite Omedettou Gozaimasu! 



Best wishes for the happiest of new years to all of our loyal fans.


In our last post, we mentioned having an executive producer onboard to help complete Watermelon Sushi—first shot in 1998. Arrigatou! to the fabulous filmmaker Doug Ing for having our old footage digitized for easy editing.





Since Watermelon Sushi was not completed the first time (and the performers are now more than 20 years older), we will create an animated version of it. The story is still the same; still about two mixed-race sisters framed by nostalgic 1980’s rap and hip hop.



Please stay tuned as we produce a new logo in the next few weeks that will spearhead our crowdfunding efforts.



Speaking of new logos, we’re also working on another film, Tokyo Lily, which is a biopic of a Japanese war bride who married a Black American soldier and moved to segregated Texas in the 1950’s. Eventually, her family settled in another state where she studied traditional Japanese dance (playing male roles), became a painter and wrote haiku.


Additionally, we will have a graphic novel about the same bride titled, Lily Wisteria



Meanwhile, please subscribe to our two Youtube channels:

Watermelon Sushi


War Brides of Japan, a docu*memory


You can also view the 5 War Brides of Japan, a docu*memory films on Gumroad:


Gumroad


For more detailed information, please visit our main websites:


Starwheels

Watermelon Sushi

War Brides of Japan, a docu*memory















Here’s to peace and prosperity in 2023!

Your Hip Hapa,


Yayoi

Friday, September 30, 2022

Falling Forward

 Aloha, Hip Hapa Homeez!

Here we are again, preparing for Fall. But the darker days and longer nights are actually a blessing. It will keep us in our studio where we will spend more time working on our creative endeavors.


For one, Watermelon Sushi (the movie) now has an Executive Producer. In the posts to come, we will name that person and the work they are doing for our film. Soon, we’ll be starting our fundraising campaign!


Yayoi introduces her family 


We also have our yet untitled documentary and graphic novel about a Japanese war bride artist. 


a war bride and an artist

And, we’ll be licensing artwork for both films in the very near future.


Have you stayed updated on our two Youtube channels?


Watermelon Sushi


War Brides of Japan, a docu*memory


While you’re there, please subscribe. 


You can also view the 5 War Brides of Japan, a docu*memory films on Gumroad:


Gumroad


Finally, here are the links to our films’ main websites:


Starwheels

Watermelon Sushi

War Brides of Japan, a docu*memory


As always, we’re open to interviewing mixed-race, multicultural, multiethnic and multiracial folks who are making a difference. Please drop us a line!


Meanwhile, our deepest mahalo to you—our fans since 2006—for your continuing support.


Have a beautiful autumn!


Your Hip Hapa, 


Yayoi


Thursday, June 30, 2022

Summer Sun and Fun

Aloha, Hip Hapa Homeez

HAPA sunshine! 

cocktail, anyone?
Summer is here, but we won’t be lazing around in the sun sipping on a Watermelon Sushi cocktail, or munching on Watermelon and Sushi salad either. 

Nope. We're going to be too busy creating content for you, our mixie friends. 

First off, we have finally completed our short film, Native Vegan. This project was funded by a grant via VeganFlix Studios, and we are eternally grateful for that. 

You’ll be able to view it at our Watermelon Sushi Youtube channel, once it’s posted early next month:








or watermelon sushi salad?


While you’re on Youtube, please check out our War Brides of Japan channel, too:


The 5 films that make up the series are currently available for (cheap) rent on Gumroad:


Finally, we have onboard an executive producer for the narrative, Watermelon Sushi. This film is about you and me, Dear Hip Hapa, so please stay in touch. 

You can see our updates at our website: https://www.watermelonsushi.com 

And, at our Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/watermelonsushi/ 


We can’t thank you enough, our devoted supporters, for your financial and spiritual encouragement throughout these decades! 

cool rules!

Watermelon Sushi, the movie

We also have other projects on our plate, like the story of a Japanese war bride artist which will be both a documentary film and a graphic novel. 



And, we’re in talks with a producer for a documentary film about the enslavement of African people in the U.S. Please enjoy your multi-culti summer, and drop us a line if you or someone you know would like to be featured on our next blog post. We’re always looking to write about interesting mixies like yourself. 

See you again this Fall. Meanwhile, stay cool because cool rules! 

Your Hip Hapa, 

Yayoi



Thursday, March 31, 2022

HAPA Spring N2 Action!

Aloha, Hip Hapa Homeez!


Here were are, already at the end of the first quarter of 2022. How’s it going so far in your multicultural world?


Your Hip Hapa with Watermelon Sushi

For us at Watermelon Sushi World, it’s been a time of turning out projects like crazy!


In honor of Women’s History Herstory Month, Your Hip Hapa was invited to participate in an art exhibit called 'Herstory'. A month-long event at Arts at Mark’s Garage in Chinatown, Honolulu, O’ahu, the exhibit showed off the work of women artists and their powerful visions of women. A fun time was had by all!



Your Hip Hapa's "Herstory: Rice 2 Space" artwork, bottom right

As you can see, Your Hip Hapa’s artwork included a portrait of a hapa woman who rises from being a baby on her mother’s back (a traditional Japanese woman cooking rice) to becoming an astronaut. Stay tuned for a whole series of NFT’s based on this subject matter.


Meanwhile, the ‘War Brides of Japan, a docu*memory’ series is now available for viewing on Gumroad.


Check out these links:


https://watermelonsushi.gumroad.com/l/HERSTORY


https://watermelonsushi.gumroad.com/l/theBRIDES


https://watermelonsushi.gumroad.com/l/theKIDS


https://watermelonsushi.gumroad.com/l/theCULTURE


https://watermelonsushi.gumroad.com/l/BUDDHISTFRIENDSFOREVER


Additionally, we’re surging forward with two films and three books. Don’t worry, we’ll keep you posted about their statuses.


Do drop us a line if you’re someone who has something to say about being a part of our mixed race world. We love doing interviews with people like you.



HAPA SPRING!


Your Hip Hapa,




Yayoi