Stephanie Castillo, Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker of Olena Productions, recommends Franco Zeffirelli’s Brother Sun, Sister Moon, a beautiful, richly crafted story about St. Francis of Assisi. “As a young man, Francis joins the Crusades and comes back wounded and deeply affected by his experiences in war. His eyes are opened to see the poor and Nature as God would. This is one of the most beautiful, inspiring and heartfelt films I have ever seen. The soundtrack will lift you. I’ve been waiting for this for years! Zeffirelli is a true master of the art of cinema.” Paramount Studio, 1972.

CD

Juliet Lighter, former Miss Hawaii USA and Miss Venus (Swimwear) Hawaii 2003, recommends Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Fairytales. “Jack, a Hawaii native from the North Shore, is an amazing and very gifted artist. His music is very unique—the sounds are jazzy and upbeat, yet very relaxing. This is the type of music you would listen to after a hard day’s work to help you unwind.” Universal, 2001.

BOOK

Roger Takabayashi, president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA), recommends Jim Collin’s Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t. “This book talks about how good companies change into great companies. They find out what works, adopt the best practices and apply them to their own situation. It’s similar to how we want to change the way schools operate. It’s all about leadership development. It’s the people who makes things work.” HarperCollins, 2001.

This article appears in the May 2004 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.