Indie Films

Pacific Heartbeat

Pacific Heartbeat is a national public television series of critically acclaimed documentaries that provides an authentic glimpse into the Pacific Islander experience. Creative and beautifully told stories about arts, culture and intimate human stories, the series features a diverse array of programs intended to draw viewers into the heart and soul of Pacific Island culture.

Hawai'i's Precious Resources

56m 46s

Three short films that explore the delicate balance in Hawai‘i’s ecosystems, that encourage us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and show us that even the smallest species, like Hawaiian tree snails, and ornamental trees, like the coconut, are worth saving.

Episodes

  • Hawai'i's Precious Resources: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hawai'i's Precious Resources

    S12 E1204 - 56m 46s

    Three short films that explore the delicate balance in Hawai‘i’s ecosystems, that encourage us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and show us that even the smallest species, like Hawaiian tree snails, and ornamental trees, like the coconut, are worth saving.

  • Daughters of the Waves: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Daughters of the Waves

    S12 E1203 - 56m 46s

    Although only 20, Vahine Fierro is undaunted by the Teahupo‘o wave, considered the most dangerous in the world. Vahine surfs as no other Polynesian girl has ever surfed. In Tahitian culture, riding the waves is an ancestral activity from which women had been gradually eliminated, but now surfing is open to women, just in time for the Olympics.

  • Island Cowgirls: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Island Cowgirls

    S12 E1202 - 56m 46s

    On the northwest side of Hawai‘i island, as La‘i Bertlemann prepares to graduate from high school, she must make a difficult decision whether to stay home and continue her family tradition of land stewardship or leave. On the south side, Lani Cran Petrie is at a crossroads as she continues to plan for the future of her ranch while faced with the uncertainty of the lease of the land expiring soon.

  • Ola Hou: Journey to New York Fashion Week: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ola Hou: Journey to New York Fashion Week

    S12 E1201 - 56m 46s

    When Native Hawaiian fashion designer, Sharayah Chun-Lai receives an invitation from the world-renowned Runway 7 to showcase her brand, Ola Hou Designs, at the prestigious New York Fashion Week, she and her supportive family are tossed into a fast-paced world of planning, preparation and runway readiness to bring the spirit of the Big Island to the magic of the Big Apple.

Extras + Features

  • Born This Way: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Born This Way

    S9 E903 - 30s

    Born This Way: Awa's Story - In New Zealand, Te Awarangi 'Awa' Puna is an openly transgender Maori teen attending her final year at Kapiti College in Wellington, New Zealand.
    The Rogers - An intimate glimpse into the lives of those who formed the first visible group of transgender men in the Pacific Islands - The Rogers of Samoa.

  • Power Meri: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Power Meri

    S9 E902 - 30s

    Power Meri follows Papua New Guinea's first national women's rugby league team, the PNG Orchids, on their journey to the 2017 World Cup in Australia. These trailblazers must beat not only the sporting competition, but also intense sexism, a lack of funding, and national prejudice to reach their biggest stage yet.

  • Anote's Ark: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Anote's Ark

    S9 E901 - 30s

    The Pacific Island nation of Kiribati (population: 100,000) is one of the most remote places on the planet, seemingly far-removed from the pressures of modern life. Yet it is one of the first countries that must confront the main existential dilemma of our time: imminent annihilation from sea-level rise.

Schedule

  • Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    The Healer Stones

    Wednesday
    May 1

    1 Hour

    Four large stones on Waikiki Beach represent a Hawaiian tradition of healing and gender diversity, and serve as a tribute to four mahu who brought the healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii.
  • Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    For My Father's Kingdom

    Wednesday
    May 1

    1 Hour

    A look at how contemporary secular families deal with devout Christian tithing and unique insight into traditional Tongan culture.
  • Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    Ola Hou -- Journey to New York Fashion Week

    Wednesday
    May 1

    1 Hour

    Native Hawaiian fashion designer Sharayah Chun-Lai does what it takes to bring Ola Hou Designs to the New York runway.

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