ʻOhana Vendors Short Film

a Pond Production

At 22 years old, Mara Onichu has built a life defined by independence.

Born in Chuuk and raised in Guam, Mara lost her sight at age three after being diagnosed with spinal meningitis. Doctors once questioned whether she would walk or survive. Today, she is thriving in Honolulu, Hawaii, working at Blind Vendors ‘Ohana, a local company that operates 10 convenience stores inside Honolulu International Airport.

After moving to Hawaii following her father’s passing, Mara enrolled at Ho‘opono, a school for the blind that teaches technology, Braille, cooking, and essential life skills. There, she discovered Blind Vendors, a 100 percent local business dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Blind Vendors ‘Ohana focuses on people, not sales quotas. Through training, teamwork, and belief in ability over limitation, the company empowers employees with disabilities to gain confidence, financial independence, and purpose.

For Mara, her favorite sound at work is the cash register. It represents capability and growth. While some customers ask her to hurry, most show patience and kindness. Surrounded by supportive coworkers, including one employee who says he is getting paid to be happy at 76 years old, Mara has found more than a job. She has found community.

Learn more about Blind Vendors ʻOhana here.

Directed by Alika Tengan
Story by Sean Conroy
Executive Producers Michael Quinones & Sean Conroy
A Film by Square

Featuring:
Mara Oneichu
Troy Nakamura
Glenn S. Watanabe
Camila Paglingayen
Chris Kershner

Produced by Nelson Murray, Carl Sturgess, Aja Toscano
Associate Producer Camille Posard

Director of Photography Chapin Hall
Edited by Matt Carter & Alyce Muhammad

Sound Mix Michalis Anthis
Sound Design Michalis Anthis, Nigel Manington, Evan Anderson
Colorist Evan Okada

Location Manager Melissa Shipman
Production Assistant Maggie Hoyle
Photographer Desmond Centro
Assistant Camera & B Camera Operator Chloe Ma
Sound Operator Tom Visser
ADR Sound Studio Tobi Nova

Post Production Producer Sarah Knowlton
Post Production Managing Director & Executive Producer Sarah Roebuck
Audio Assistant Francis Medina
Senior Audio Producer Andi Lewis
Audio Production Coordinator Nick Paul
Audio Post Production Managing Director & Executive Producer Matej Oreskovic
VFX Creative Director & Senior Flame Artist Thom Reimerink
VFX Assistant Jordan Mikhail
VFX Associate Producer Hoa Vu
VFX Head Of Production Alexandra Leal

Special thank you to the Blind Vendors Ohana Team, Tommy, Amy Downard & Leni

Post Production Provided by Final Cut NY
Audio Post Production Provided by Machine Sound 
VFX Post Production Provided by Significant Others 

Images courtesy of Desmond Centro

February 2026