Terms of Service

These terms govern your use of Maui Stream, a streaming platform operated by Akakū Maui Community Media (“Akakū,” “we,” “us”). By creating an account or renting a film, you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the platform.

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account on Maui Stream. By signing up, you confirm you are.

To become a filmmaker and publish films on the platform, you must additionally:

• Be based in the State of Hawaiʻi, as verified by the legal address you submit to Stripe Connect — or be granted an exception by an Akakū admin.
• Complete identity verification and bank account setup via Stripe Connect.
• Own or have the legal right to publish every film you upload.

You're responsible for the activity on your account. Keep your password and email access secure. If you suspect unauthorized use, email us immediately at aloha@mauistream.org.

One account per person, please. Don't share your login.

When you rent a film, you pay the filmmaker's price and gain access to watch the film for 48 hours from the moment you press play. The rental window starts at first playback, not at purchase. You can watch as many times as you want within the window.

Of every paid rental, 70% goes directly to the filmmaker via Stripe at the moment of the transaction. The remaining 30% covers Stripe's processing fees and supports Akakū's operation of the platform.

Some films are designated free — these may be watched without payment but are still subject to these terms.

Because each rental delivers content to you immediately, sales are generally final. We may issue refunds at our discretion in cases of technical failure, accidental purchase, or other genuine error. Email aloha@mauistream.org within 7 days of the rental to request one.

When you upload a film, you keep the copyright. You grant Maui Stream a non-exclusive license to host, stream, and promote the film on the platform for as long as it's published. You can request your film be unpublished at any time by emailing us; we'll honor existing 48-hour rental windows already in progress before taking it down.

By uploading, you represent that:

• You own the film, or have all necessary rights and licenses (including from any rights holders, music, archival footage, etc.).
• The film does not infringe anyone's copyright, trademark, privacy, or other rights.
• The film does not contain unlawful, harassing, fraudulent, or hateful content.

We require an explicit rights attestation on the upload form, captured with a timestamp and your IP address. If a third party reports a copyright infringement on a film you uploaded, we will remove the film and may suspend your account. See our DMCA Policy for how the takedown process works and how to dispute a removal.

Akakū reviews every submission and may decline films that don't fit the platform's mission, with reasons provided where useful. This isn't about taste — many great films won't be a fit. Decline is not a judgment of quality.

Maui Stream complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Rights holders who believe their work has been infringed should send a notice to our designated agent following the procedure on our DMCA Policy page. We respond to valid notices within two business days and maintain a repeat-infringer policy under which we may terminate accounts that accumulate multiple uncontested takedowns.

Payouts route through Stripe Connect to your linked bank account on Stripe's schedule (typically every 2-7 business days, depending on Stripe's account verification status). We don't hold filmmaker funds — money moves directly from the viewer's payment to your Stripe account at the moment of the transaction.

Tax reporting (1099s, etc.) is handled by Stripe based on the information you provide to them. You are responsible for declaring your earnings on your own tax filings.

The Kuleana Badge is a recognition granted at Akakū's discretion to filmmakers whose work shows they belong on the platform. It unlocks a public filmmaker page, auto-approval of future film submissions, and a visible mark on your profile. Kuleana can be revoked, also at Akakū's discretion, if a filmmaker's conduct or work no longer aligns with the platform's values.

Kuleana is not a contract or a guarantee. It is an honor.

You agree not to:

• Bypass the rental window or attempt to download or redistribute films you don't own.
• Use scraping tools, bots, or automated systems to access the platform without our explicit permission.
• Upload malware, viruses, or content designed to harm other users or the platform.
• Impersonate another filmmaker or claim work that isn't yours.
• Use the platform for any illegal activity.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these rules.

The Maui Stream name, logo, brand, and the Kuleana Badge are property of Akakū Maui Community Media. The films and articles on the platform are owned by their respective filmmakers and authors, who've licensed their use to us as described above.

Maui Stream is provided “as is.” We work hard to keep it running and the films streaming, but we don't guarantee uninterrupted availability. Films may be removed at the filmmaker's or Akakū's discretion. Active rentals will be honored even when a film is being taken down — your 48-hour window remains valid until it expires.

To the maximum extent allowed by law, Akakū's total liability to you for any claim related to Maui Stream is limited to the total amount you've paid us in the past 12 months. We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or incidental damages.

If a third party brings a claim against Akakū because of content you uploaded, you agree to defend and indemnify Akakū against that claim, including reasonable legal costs.

You can close your account at any time by emailing us. We may close accounts that violate these terms, with notice where reasonable.

Termination doesn't cancel obligations already incurred — e.g., a 48-hour rental remains active, and any payments already routed to filmmakers remain theirs.

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Hawaiʻi, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Disputes will be resolved in the courts of Maui County, Hawaiʻi.

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be announced by email to registered users at least 14 days before they take effect. Continuing to use the platform after a change means you accept the new terms.

Akakū Maui Community Media
333 Dairy Road
Kahului, HI 96732
aloha@mauistream.org