Pacific Heartbeat comes to Public Television through a partnership between Pacific Islanders in Communications and PBS Hawaii, and is presented and distributed by Boston-based American Public Television. It is an unprecedented collection of critically acclaimed documentaries centered on the Pacific Islander experience. From revealing exposés to rousing musical performances, the five-part series features a diverse array of programs intended to draw viewers into the heart and soul of Pacific Island culture.
Pacific Heartbeat includes the following critically acclaimed and award-winning documentaries: Keola Beamer: Mālama Ko Aloha (Keep Your Love), in which a legendary Hawaiian composer, inspired by the ancient battle cry of his royal ancestor, collaborates with a brilliant ensemble of musicians to create a multicultural concert masterpiece; Papa Mau: The Wayfinder, which recounts the fundamental role that master navigator Mau Piailug played in reawakening Polynesian pride by teaching Hawaiians the dying art of traditional voyaging without the aid of instruments; There Once was an Island: Te Henua e Nnoho, which tells the story of a Pacific Island community that must make the heart-wrenching decision of whether to stay on their beloved island home or move to a new and unfamiliar land, as their home is destroyed by climate change; Under a Jarvis Moon, which reveals the untold stories of teenage Hawaiian boys who were sent on a clandestine mission to occupy deserted islands in the middle of the Pacific prior to World War II; Waimea ‘Ukulele & Slack Key Guitar, which showcases rousing performances and rare interviews with ‘ukulele and slack key guitar masters abound at the Waimea ‘Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Institute, held annually in Hawai‘i’s cowboy country.
About Pacific Islanders in Communications
The mission of Pacific Islanders in Communications is to support, advance, and develop Pacific Island media content and talent that results in a deeper understanding and appreciation of Pacific Island history, culture, and contemporary challenges. Established in Honolulu in 1991 as a national nonprofit media arts corporation, PIC is a member of the National Minority Consortia, which collectively addresses the need for programming that reflects America’s growing ethnic and cultural diversity. Primary funding for PIC and the Consortia is provided through an annual grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Visit www.piccom.org for additional information.
About PBS Hawaii
Hawaii’s only public television station, PBS Hawaii, reaches viewers across the island state. Locally owned and independent, the non profit media organization is evolving on-air and online to best serve the people of Hawaii. Through quality programming and community interaction, PBS Hawaii connects with citizens of all ages to share trustworthy information, culture and the arts, and lifelong learning. For more information, visit PBSHawaii.org.
About APT
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading distributor of high-quality, top-rated programming to America’s public television stations since 1961. Since 2004, APT has distributed approximately half of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles. Among its 300 new program titles per year are prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramatic series, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. For more information, visit APTonline.org.