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.

The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu

56m 45s

On Honolulu's famous Waikiki Beach stand four large stones that represent a Hawaiian tradition of healing and gender diversity that is all but unknown to the millions of locals and tourists passing by. According to legend, the stones are a tribute to four mahu, people of dual male and female spirit, who brought the healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii and used their spiritual power to cure disease.

Episodes

  • The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu

    S11 E1104 - 56m 45s

    On Honolulu's famous Waikiki Beach stand four large stones that represent a Hawaiian tradition of healing and gender diversity that is all but unknown to the millions of locals and tourists passing by. According to legend, the stones are a tribute to four mahu, people of dual male and female spirit, who brought the healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii and used their spiritual power to cure disease.

  • Loimata, The Sweetest Tears: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Loimata, The Sweetest Tears

    S11 E1103 - 56m 45s

    Featuring the redemptive tale of waka builder and captain Lilo Ema Siope’s final years, "Loimata, The Sweetest Tears" is a chronicle of journeys – journeys of migration, spirituality, voyaging, healing and coming home. Confronting intergenerational trauma head on, the Siope family returns to their homeland of Sâmoa.

  • James & Isey: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    James & Isey

    S11 E1102 - 56m 46s

    Genuine New Zealand treasures Isey and her son James invite viewers into their lives in the week leading up to Isey's 100th birthday and its shaping up to be quite the party. The episode captures a Northland celebration of life and aroha (love) like no other.

  • High Tide, Don’t Hide: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    High Tide, Don’t Hide

    S11 E1101 - 56m 46s

    In the race for existence, striking teenagers discover that activism, authority and awareness make for a steep learning curve. Determined to provoke real action, New Zealand teenagers join the global School Strike for Climate. But planning a movement and building momentum are the easy parts as they face political indifference, their own white privilege, and the ongoing struggle to be heard.

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

  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    Tokyo Hula

    Monday
    May 29

    1 Hour

    Tourism and economics have fueled the cultural phenomenon of dancing hula in Japan.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawai'i

    Monday
    May 29

    1 Hour

    Three kumu hula (master instructors) face challenges directing hula schools in California.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    Tokyo Hula

    Tuesday
    May 30

    1 Hour

    Tourism and economics have fueled the cultural phenomenon of dancing hula in Japan.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawai'i

    Tuesday
    May 30

    1 Hour

    Three kumu hula (master instructors) face challenges directing hula schools in California.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    Tokyo Hula

    Tuesday
    May 30

    1 Hour

    Tourism and economics have fueled the cultural phenomenon of dancing hula in Japan.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawai'i

    Tuesday
    May 30

    1 Hour

    Three kumu hula (master instructors) face challenges directing hula schools in California.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    Tokyo Hula

    Tuesday
    Jun 6

    1 Hour

    Tourism and economics have fueled the cultural phenomenon of dancing hula in Japan.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    Tokyo Hula

    Tuesday
    Jun 6

    1 Hour

    Tourism and economics have fueled the cultural phenomenon of dancing hula in Japan.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawai'i

    Wednesday
    Jun 7

    1 Hour

    Three kumu hula (master instructors) face challenges directing hula schools in California.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawai'i

    Wednesday
    Jun 7

    1 Hour

    Three kumu hula (master instructors) face challenges directing hula schools in California.
  • Image
    Pacific Heartbeat: TVSS: Iconic

    Pacific Heartbeat

    Born This Way: Awa's Story and The Rogers

    Monday
    Jun 12

    1 Hour

    Te Awarangi "Awa" Puna, an openly transgender Maori teen in her final year at Kapiti College in Wellington, New Zealand, transitions from male to female; The Rogers of Samoa.

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.