ABOUT US
KAKAIA is derived from the word KAI-KAIA. KAI means "to devour," while KAIA means "in a ferocious way."
It was also the name of an ancient HENUA ENANA (The Marquesas Islands) tribe known for being fierce and worshipping TIKI, an ancient Polynesian divine entity.
Today, we define KAKAIA as someone who is audacious, bold, and unafraid to lead. These values form the core foundations of our production company.
KAKAIA Productions is a team of storytellers, founded by Carrisse Uta'i and Kahu Kaiha, dedicated to crafting bold, impactful Polynesian stories from conception to screen.
Producer and Writer
Carrisse Uta'i (Si'umu, Aleisa) is a NZ-born award-winning producer, writer, and actress of Sāmoan, Tuvaluan, Fijian, Cook Island, and German descent. With a Bachelor in Performing and Screen Arts under her belt, Carrisse is now making a name for herself in the producing space. Her first produced short film, "Find Where I Belong," won Best Short Fiction Film at FIFO Tahiti in 2023 and had a successful festival run; aquired by France TV. Her second short film, "KÜĪ” (awaiting premiere) marks her debut as a screenwriter.
Carrisse's passion lies in development and storytelling. Currently, co producing Kahu Kaiha’s debut feature length documentary, “KAKAIA - Children of Tiki”and producing an upcoming short film “Alofa Mai, Alofa Atu”.
As co-founder of KAKAIA Productions, she champions Indigenous and Pacific Islands storytelling. She received the 2024 Day One Vista Foundation Spirit Award.
Director, Producer and Writer
Kahu Kaiha (Ua Pou) is a Marquesan multi-hypenate, and award-winning Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Marquesan Haka Choreographer AND Marquesan Haka music composer.
His directorial debut short film 'Find Where I Belong' was a self/crowd funded project which won ‘Best Fiction Short Film’ at the FIFO Film Festival.
Kahu continues to create ambitious and culturally centered films through his production company, KAKAIA Productions. He is deeply committed to preserving and promoting Marquesan culture, through sharing the stories, traditional dances, and music of his homeland with a broader audience via his work on screen, as well as being a regular participant in festivals and workshops. He received the 2024 Day One Imagezone Vision Award.