Along with the great national programming found on PBS Hawaii, we are proud to present local shows produced both by PBS Hawaii and by Hawaii’s independent production community and seen exclusively on PBS Hawaii. Through the years we have presented outstanding local programs in the areas of education, public affairs, culture, arts, science and natural history. We count telling Hawaii’s stories to Hawaii’s people and to the nation among the most important things we do. The following is a list of programs recently presented on PBS Hawaii.
NA MELE: TRADITIONS IN HAWAIIAN SONG, was conceived and developed at PBS Hawaii to preserve the extraordinary music of Hawaii performed by some of the Islands best talents in its purest form, live and impromptu.
PBS Hawaii's newest weekly program features engaging, akamai, one-on-one conversations with some of Hawaii's most intriguing people. Leslie Wilcox brings out personal stories revealing experiences and values molding the people who shape our community. To submit questions to upcoming guests, or to suggest future guests, send e-mail to: longstoryshort@pbshawaii.org.
Hawaii's iconic father and son sports duo, Jim and Kanoa Leahey, tackle a wide range of topics each week. Coaches, players, politicians, and entertainers come through the screen door and feel at home at the Leahey kitchen table. Playful needling and laughter ensue, and by game's end, the show scores big with candid conversations and insights into Hawaii sports and life. Send e-mail to: leahey@pbshawaii.org.
Island Insights tackles hot-button issues of importance to Hawaii. Led by host Dan Boylan, guests will address questions posed by PBS Hawaii viewers. Email questions in advance to: insights@pbshawaii.org.
Howard Dicus delivers a fast-paced round up of business news and interviews with captains of Hawaii industry and budding entrepreneurs building our economic future.
Spectrum Hawaii Encore
Spectrum Hawaii is a magazine series about the culture and arts of Hawaii, began in 1982. Throughout the next decade, the series covered everything from architecture, craft, dance, and theater to cultural profiles of Hawaii's communities.
Jimmy Borges: After Dark
Celebrated jazz crooner Jimmy Borges assembles an all-star crew: drummer Noel Okimoto, bassist Steve Jones, saxophonists Gabe Baltazar and Matt Catingub, pianist Betty Loo Taylor and singer Pauline Wilson for an evening of swing!
Ma Ka Malu Ali'i
Ma Ka Malu Ali'i documents the struggles and foresight of five ali'i in 19th century Hawaii. In a time of disease, diminishing the Hawaiian population and the imminent deposition of Hawaii's reigning monarchy, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Queen Emma, King William Charles Lunalilo, Queen Lili'uokalani, and Queen Kapiolani displayed extraordinary fortitude and vision by creating their respective institutions: Kamehameha Schools, The Queen's Health System, Lunalilo Home, Liliu'okalani Children's Center, and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children to help not only the people of their time but generations yet to come.
The First Battle
The First Battle is a documentary written, produced and directed by Tom Coffman, explains why 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry on the Mainland were wrongly interned while 160,000 people of Japanese ancestry in Hawaii were able to go about their lives during World War II. This is the riveting story of a group of dedicated individuals who persuaded the powers in Washington D.C. that their plan to uproot and intern nearly 40 percent of Hawaii's population would not be in the best interest of the state or the nation.
First Light
First Light tells the story of Mauna Kea, the most important place on earth for ground-based astronomy and the most sacred place in Hawaii to cultural practitioners. First light is the term astronomers use to describe the very first sighting through a brand new telescope. In the Hawaiian culture, the morning's first light signifies a time of great power when the day's fate is yet to be determined. The quest for the delicate balance of understanding and agreement is the basis of this important documentary.
Mauna Kea: On the Verge of Other Worlds
Mauna Kea originally broadcast in 1989 shows the rest of the nation that Hawaii is more than just a tourism center, it is one of the most ideal places in the world to conduct astronomical research. Because of the extremely high altitude of 13,800 feet above sea level and its challenging climate, few forms of life thrive there, except for the telescopes, eyes peering deeply into space, alive and well, and multiplying on the summit of this extinct volcano in the middle of the South Pacific.
Art Stories
Art Stories is a PBS Hawaii series that spotlights Hawaii's art organizations: Honolulu Academy of Arts, Iolani Palace, Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu Symphony, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Contemporary Museum, Diamond Head Theatre, and the Hawaii Theatre.
Journey of Honor
In this hour long documentary filmmaker, Stuart Yamane follows a dozen Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA) veterans from Hawaii on a historic return to the World War II battlefield of Italy.
Biography Hawaii
Biography Hawaii offers us a deep and intense human understanding of various aspects of Hawaii's past. Maiki Ai'u Lake, Harriet Bouslog, Princess Ruth, and others are featured in this six part series. All of these people have had a profound and enduring impact on who we are and who we might become in our island community.
Donald McKayle: Heartbeats of a Dancemaker
PBS Hawaii and Dance Pioneers present the one-hour documentary about the gifted American choreographer and performer, Donald McKayle. The program is narrated by recording artist, television personality and long time friend of Donald McKayle, Della Reese.
May Earth Live
This hour long documentary takes us on a journey through Hawaii's rain forests. We learn about the issues threatening their survival and meet some of the people committed to their preservation.
Simple Courage
Simple Courage documents the treatment of leprosy victims in Hawaii in the 19th and early 20th century. More than 8,000 sufferers, mostly native Hawaiians, were banished to an isolated peninsula and practically abandoned. One man, however, in a simple act of courage, took it upon himself to bring comfort to these hopeless people. He was Father Damien, a Catholic missionary from Belgium, who spent sixteen years caring for the "untouchables" until he himself succumbed to the disease. He transformed their prison into a place of decency and respect.
