Aloha mai, o wau 'o starr
My name is Heavenlee, but a lot of people like to call me Starr, and I am a 17-year-old, award-nominated director and filmmaker, actor, photographer, and artist from the Kingdom of Hawai'i, soon heading off to Seattle to pursue film at Cornish College of the Arts. Continue below to learn my mo'olelo!
mai ku'u wā kamali'i...
Ever since I was a child, I’ve gravitated toward every creative outlet I could find—singing, theater, painting, and film. Because neither of my parents was an artist by trade, I often wondered where my 'creative gene' came from. While they gave me a vital foundation of appreciation, my own obsession felt like an unexplained, internal pull that I simply couldn't ignore.
That pull truly took root during the fan-edit era of 2018. I was captivated by the technical precision and the power of video manipulation; I didn't just want to watch stories, I wanted to deconstruct them. This curiosity turned me into a professional observer. Today, I don't just watch a film or listen to a song; I study the intentionality of the color theory, the architecture of the lyrics, and the framing of every shot. This analytical lens has made me a better artist because I've learned that beauty lives in the smallest details. While I still find joy in the art of the edit (follow me on tiktok @stxrryfilez), my focus has evolved. I no longer want to rearrange existing media; I want to be the one behind the original spark, nurturing my own ideas until they fully blossom into what they were meant to be.
As I've transitioned into filmmaking and acting, my mission has found its focus. Attending a Hawaiian immersion school with Kumus who have inspired me creatively opened my eyes to the profound lack of Polynesian representation in mainstream media—and to the vibrant passion that exists in stories others might overlook as mundane. I believe every narrative deserves a stage; everyone should feel they belong and know their experiences are seen. This is where my purpose truly took root: in the pursuit of storytelling that ensures no one feels alone in who they are. Ultimately, we all bleed the same blood, and it is our shared humanity—expressed through our unique, individual experiences—that brings us together.
ku'u 'ohana
I think my parents have always known that I was pursuing the creative route in life, and they've never been ones to tell me to be "realistic," which I recognize as a privilege because so many young artists grow up fearing they won't succeed because of stability. This constant support from my parents has always left me believing in myself and, throughout my whole life, without doubt that I can succeed artistically.
After my mom took me to so many musicals growing up, she recognized my interest in the performing arts. She signed me up for acting classes, where my craft has continued to develop, eventually leading to my starring in my first show in my freshman year of high school. My father has always taught me well about being my own boss and the business side of anything creative, ensuring I can always hone my own creative work.
I also have 4 siblings, 3 brothers, 2 older, and one younger, and an older sister. We're all half-siblings, but it's never felt that way, especially for my little brother Seazr, who is one of the reasons why I work so hard and keep fighting for what matters to me, because I want him to believe he can succeed in whatever it is he may want to do. I love my siblings very much and am very grateful for their constant support in all my creative pursuits.
hōkūnani Laka
"Starrgirlfilms" comes from my Hawaiian name, given by my dad, Hōkūnani Laka, which translates to "beautiful star," with Laka being the goddess of hula, the forest, and vegetation. And with my constant passion and drive to pursue the arts, others have also said that I'm a "star," so it goes hand in hand. And the extra "r" is just because Instagram wouldn't let me use "Stargirlfilms."
The name 'Starr' took hold during my junior year, but my journey started a year earlier. As a sophomore, a close friend and I began creating football reels for the yearbook team—he'd film, I'd shoot, and I handled the editing and uploads that got the whole school talking. When I transferred the following year, I was recruited as the varsity football team's primary media person. It was there that a player asked if I preferred 'Heavenlee' or my Instagram handle, 'Starr.' I told him I didn't mind either, and before I knew it, the name stuck. Between the new nickname and the connections I made on the sidelines, that was the moment my brand truly took off. If it weren't for sports, I wouldn't be the photographer I am today.
This eventually led me to Hawai'i Women In Filmmaking for my second film camp with them, where I had my directorial debut with "Never Nothing," which was nominated at 'Ōpio Fest, the high school film festival by Hawai'i International Film Festival.
who i am today
Today, I am pursuing my BFA in Film at Cornish College of the Arts. My goal is to bring representation to my people and to those who often feel their experiences are overlooked. I believe everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in our society and to know that their perspective is valid. Ultimately, I want my work to remind us that despite our differences, we are all human, each with a story worth telling.
Beyond my own work, I aim to inspire young creatives to stop waiting and start making their dreams a reality. It was my personal drive that allowed me to build a professional network and a solid foundation in the film and photography industry before I even finished high school. To anyone who wants to be an artist: remember that a degree or diploma doesn't define your talent or solidify your artistry. That identity is yours to claim, and it is entirely up to you to bring your vision to life.
I am blessed to be who I am, honored to be trusted with people's stories, and very grateful you chose to know mine.
