Dyin' to Be Hawaiian, Part II: Back to Earth

In the first installment of this series, we explored the tragic story of Dyin' to Be Hawaiian, a 1972 horror film directed by John Hancock. The film tells the story of four young men who travel to Hawaii to surf and party, but their vacation quickly turns into a nightmare when they are hunted by a vengeful spirit.

In this second installment, we will delve deeper into the film's backstory, characters, and themes. We will also discuss the film's critical reception and its lasting impact on the horror genre.

Dyin' to Be Hawaiian is loosely based on the true story of the murder of a young woman named Janice Smith in Honolulu in 1965. Smith was a white tourist who was killed by a group of Hawaiian men. The murder sparked outrage and racial tension in Hawaii, and it ultimately led to the passage of a law that made it illegal to kill a white person in the state.

DYIN' TO BE HAWAIIAN: Part 2, Back To Earth

by Patrick J. Flannigan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1086 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	220 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	424 pages
Item Weight	:	1.07 pounds
Dimensions	:	5.12 x 1.06 x 7.87 inches

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In the film, the four young men are all white surfers from California. They are played by Barry Brown, Stephen Queen, Arnold Johnson, and Michael Ross. The men are all arrogant and disrespectful of Hawaiian culture. They make fun of the locals, steal their food, and vandalize their property.

The vengeful spirit in the film is that of a young Hawaiian woman named Kealoha. Kealoha was killed by the four young men in the film's opening scene. She is portrayed by Elenora Casano, who also played Janice Smith in the 1971 film, Daughters of Satan.

Dyin' to Be Hawaiian is a film about racism, violence, and the power of revenge. The film's central theme is that violence begets violence. The four young men's actions in killing Kealoha set in motion a chain of events that ultimately leads to their own deaths.

The film also explores the themes of cultural identity and the importance of respecting other cultures. The four young men are outsiders in Hawaii, and they fail to understand or appreciate the local culture. Their arrogance and disrespect ultimately lead to their downfall.

Dyin' to Be Hawaiian was a critical and commercial failure upon its release in 1972. The film was dismissed by critics as a cheap and exploitative rip-off of Deliverance (1972). However, the film has since gained a cult following among fans of horror films.

In his review of the film, Roger Ebert wrote: "Dyin' to Be Hawaiian is a bad movie, but it's also a fascinating one. It's a time capsule of a particular time and place, and it offers a glimpse into the dark side of the American dream."

Dyin' to Be Hawaiian is a film that has been both reviled and celebrated. It is a film that is deeply flawed, but it is also a film that is powerful and provocative. The film's themes of racism, violence, and revenge are still relevant today, and the film's haunting imagery has stayed with many viewers long after they have seen it.

Dyin' to Be Hawaiian has had a lasting impact on the horror genre. The film's use of gore and violence was groundbreaking at the time, and it helped to pave the way for more graphic and violent horror films in the years to come. The film's depiction of racism and cultural conflict has also influenced other horror films, such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and The Hills Have Eyes (1977).

Dyin' to Be Hawaiian is a complex and controversial film that has been both praised and criticized. It is a film that is not for everyone, but it is a film that is worth watching for its powerful themes and haunting imagery. The film is a reminder that violence begets violence, and that racism and cultural conflict can have deadly consequences.

DYIN' TO BE HAWAIIAN: Part 2, Back To Earth

by Patrick J. Flannigan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1086 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	220 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	424 pages
Item Weight	:	1.07 pounds
Dimensions	:	5.12 x 1.06 x 7.87 inches

FREE