Hula is Hawaii(2024)

Holo Mai Pele(en)

This is the story of the Fire Goddess Pele and the dynamics of her relationship with her sister Hi’iaka. Six years ago, the renowned dance company Halau 'O Kekuhi began the ambitious undertaking of assembling and recreating the legend for modern audiences, translating it to the contemporary stage by combining the traditions of Hawaiian chant and hula with innovative elements of Western theater.

Malama Haloa - Protecting the Taro(en)

Taro grower and Native Hawaiian practitioner Jerry Konanui works to propagate and save from extinction the numerous varieties of kalo (taro), a staple of the Hawaiian diet. Jerry’s mission is also to protect kalo, revered as the elder sibling (Haloa) of the Hawaiian people, from the risks of genetic engineering.

95 And 6 to Go(en)

Filmmaker Kimi Takesue captures the cadence of daily life for Grandpa Tom, a retired postal worker born to Japanese immigrants to Hawai’i in the 1910’s. Amidst the solitude of his home routines - coupon clipping, rigging an improvised barbecue, lighting firecrackers on the New Year - we glimpse an unexpectedly rich inner life.

In Search of Balance(en)

An exploration of a new paradigm of health, science, and medicine, based on the interconnections between us and nature.

The Ninth Island(en)

"The Ninth Island" tells the story of Hawaii’s indigenous population and its struggles to stay connected to its ancestral home.

Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority(en)

In 1965, Patsy Takemoto Mink became the first woman of color in the United States Congress. Seven years later, she ran for the US presidency and was the driving force behind Title IX, the landmark legislation that transformed women’s opportunities in higher education and athletics.

Charles Reed Bishop: Hawaii's First Banker(en)

The documentary, titled "Hawaii's First Banker", tells the story of a man of integrity, commitment and caring. The core values he established long ago still guide us today.

Waterman(en)

Five-time Olympic medalist and Native Hawaiian Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku shattered records and brought surfing to the world while overcoming a lifetime of personal challenges. Waterman explores his journey and legacy as a legendary swimmer, trailblazer, and the undisputed father of modern-day surfing, following the sport’s first-time inclusion in this year’s Summer Olympics – a fitting tribute to his work promoting the sport around the globe.

Samuel Wilder King: Fighting For Statehood(en)

Samuel Wilder King, a descendant of Scottish sailors and Hawaiian royalty, served as a distinguished Naval officer in both World Wars before becoming Governor of the Hawaii Territory. This short film delves into King’s fearless leadership—from navigating the high seas during WWI to fighting against the internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaii during WWII—ultimately championing Hawaii's path to statehood as the 50th star on the American flag.

Nagasawa Masami x Mizukawa Asami: Hawaii Onna Jitensha Futari Tabi(ja)

Lovely NHK TV show featuring friends Masami Nagasawa and Asami Mizukawa travelling by bicycle through Hawaii. Beautiful nature views of the island on this cute program aired back in 2009. Masami does not look nature friendly at all, cleaning and carefully examining vegetables and fruit before having a bite. But she looks very cute with long hair. Asami looks like someone I would like to be friends with, she is fun and loud and not as afraid of trying new things as Masami. Hawaii seen like this looks like paradise, especially the sunshine from the top of the mountain.

The Sand Island Story(en)

This short documentary chronicles a four-month period between 1979 and 1980 when residents of Hawaii's Sand Island "squatter" community attempted to resist eviction from the Honolulu shoreline - resulting in displacement, arrests, and the destruction of a community.

Hawaii's Forest Birds: Avian Malaria and Mosquito Research(en)

Many factors are contributing to the decline in Hawaii’s forest bird populations, loss of habitat, climate change.. invasive species, but none more than disease. Avian Malaria and avian Poxvirus are spread by human introduced Mosquitoes. Historically, mosquitoes did not exist on Hawaii and native bird species never developed resistance to mosquito transmitted diseases. Because of this, mosquitoes have devastated many native bird populations.

Hawaï, l'archipel le mieux gardé d'Amérique(fr)

Waikiki: in the Wake of Dreams(en)

This film chronicles Waikiki's history from Polynesian mythology to the present day where it is one of the world's leading urban resorts.

Paniolo O Hawai'i: Cowboys of the Far West(en)

This award winning feature documentary film redefines our childhood notions of cowboys and indians and the Great American West. In this beautifully crafted movie, Cowboys are the Indians. Hawaii’s Paniolo preceded the American Cowboy but their story remains virtually unheralded in frontier history. The film is a tribute to the men and women who learned much of their riding, roping, and saddle making from the great vaqueros of Alta California.

Hula Girls: Imagining Paradise(en)

A deliciously compelling look under the lei, and why the Hula Girl is one of the most potent and sexually alluring images in popular culture today.

Hidden Hawaii: National Parks Collection(en)

Embark on a month-long expedition to explore stunning coral reefs, shallow water environments, and rare species in America's newest marine sanctuary, Papahanamokuakea Marine National Monument.

Aloha From Lavaland(en)

Explores what it really means to live in such an unpredictable paradise, and what the incident can teach the rest of the world about community, sustainability, harmony, and aloha.

Aina: That Which Feeds Us(en)

The film highlights a way to address some of the most pressing environmental and health crises facing the island of Kauai - and of island Earth.

Tua(en)

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a generational football talent, embarks on a journey that began from a childhood family prophecy. Follow Tua as he attempts to overcome a career-threatening injury and rise as one of the most uniquely skilled players in the history of the game.