While "Barbarian Princess," the controversial new biopic on the life of Princess Kaiulani, received a generally warm reception at its world premiere at the Hawaii Theatre last night, many left the sold-out screening feeling that the film fell short of its promise and potential.

A capacity crowd of 1,600 people attended the screening.

Margie Ah Tou, 47, of Kapolei, said that while the film's depiction of the young princess was at times inspiring, she took issue with the way Hawaiian alii were generally portrayed as weak and ineffectual.

"It was insulting," Ah Tou said. "They made it look like Hawaiians couldn't do anything for themselves, like the alii couldn't take care of their own people."

A group of women who dubbed themselves "The Barbarian Titas" stormed out of the screening immediately after it ended.

"This isn't right," shouted one woman, who declined to be interviewed.

Kahu Manu Mook, 61, of Waimänalo, who served as an extra on the film, said he hopes the film will draw attention to the struggle for Native Hawaiian rights and help those who are unaware of Hawaii's tumultuous history to appreciate the continued plight of Native Hawaiians.

"There was a lot that they left out, but I'll give it a chance," he said. "Hopefully, it will show people how it was back then. Nobody took us seriously. No one respected our culture. I feel nothing has really changed since then, just more hotels and more people getting rich off of us."

A number of Native Hawaiian leaders have raised objections to the movie, especially its title. Producers have insisted that it was meant to be an ironic title, based on what U.S. newspapers dubbed her as she went around the country.

But critics say the reference to "barbarian" is insulting to Hawaiians.

Susan Shire, 55, of Kailua said she felt the film could have done more to provide insight into Hawaiian history and culture.

"I kind of had a vision that this would be the picture that would show the rest of the world what Hawaii has been through," she said. "I was disappointed because it fell short of that."

Still, there were no audible signs of displeasure during the screening itself, and some in the audience applauded loudly as the on-screen Kaiulani asserted herself in several scenes late in the film. There was also general applause as the credits rolled.

Kara Honda, 27, of Kailua said the film "certainly took liberties" with the history of the overthrow and annexation. Still, she hopes the film will be seen by a wider audience.

"I hope it will be seen nationally so that people can see what the culture went through," she said.

Earlier yesterday, a Hawaiian organization dedicated to upholding the honor of Princess Ka'iulani observed her 134th birthday as it has always done: paying tribute to her at her longtime home in Waikíkí and her final resting place at Mauna Ala, the Royal Mausoleum in Nu'uanu.

The members of 'Ahahui Kaiulani chose to stay away from the premiere of "The Barbarian Princess."

Other Native Hawaiians and supporters of Native Hawaiian interests joined them at both 'Äinahau, Ka'iulani's lifelong residence, to place lei on her statue, and Mauna Ala, where the princess and members of her family are buried.

Roy Tjioe, a co-producer, said "The Barbarian Princess" was the original title given to script writer and director Marc Forby. It was later changed to "The Last Princess" and then "Princess Ka'iulani" before changing back to its original title.

Q'orianka Kilcher, a half-Peruvian actress cast as Ka'iulani, told the KGMB9 morning show "Sunrise" yesterday she won't call the movie by its name out of respect for Hawaiians and wishes producers would change it.

Tjioe acknowledged the script takes artistic license to speed up the tempo or add drama. For example, the film shows Kaiulani throwing a switch to illuminate Downtown Honolulu on the same evening that the Bayonet Constitution was signed by King David Kaläkaua in 1888. The lighting event actually took place four months earlier.