By tuning in to PBS Hawaii at 9 p.m. Saturday, those who haven’t been to Kahoolawe will be able to see for themselves why this starkly beautiful island is a sacred place to Native Hawaiians. Love and reverence glow in the faces of the many members of the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana who narrate "Islands of Sanctuary," a segment of a four-part documentary, "Standing on Sacred Ground," directed by Christopher "Toby" McLeod. (The Kahoolawe episode begins about 26 minutes into the hour, following the story of Aboriginal Australians’ efforts to preserve their indigenous lands from mining.)
Volunteers of all ages are shown cultivating loi, planting native flora and cleaning the island, originally dedicated to the sea god Kanaloa and the study of navigation. But lurking in 25 percent of the island is unexploded ordnance the Navy left uncleared after decades of using the island as a bombing range.
The crisply edited film includes historical footage of naval bombardments and grass-roots protests, including rare glimpses of Molokai activist-musician George Helm, who, along with Kimo Mitchell, disappeared in 1977 while paddling back to Maui from Kahoolawe on surfboards.
Star-Advertiser seeking Obon events
The summer Obon season observes the Buddhist tradition of commemorating family ancestors, who are said to return to this world to visit relatives. In Hawaii the colorful and lively festivals have become a must-do cultural event for many residents and visitors alike, regardless of religious persuasion.
The Today section of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser will publish its annual Obon calendar June 1. To list your event, email the dates, time, address, sponsor’s name and contact information to features@staradvertiser.com by May 27.
Go For Broke contest offers video option
The Go For Broke National Education Center has added a video option to its third annual essay contest open to high school and college students. The contest aims to encourage young people "to explore their relationship to the Nisei veteran story" and features cash prizes of $1,000 to the top four winners.
The top 30 finalists will receive two free tickets to attend the education center’s 14th Annual Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner this fall in Los Angeles.
Students can enter either a written essay of 250 to 500 words or create a three- to five-minute video addressing one of three topics: how the experiences of Japanese-American soldiers in World War II are relevant today; the story of a single Japanese-American soldier, highlighting the elements most meaningful to the entrant; or what the Japanese-American experience in World War II can teach people about the U.S. Constitution, rights and responsibilities.
Submissions are due June 30. Email written essays and YouTube video links to chris@goforbroke.org. Winners will be notified by July 31.
Last year’s contest drew more than 220 essays from all over the country, including Hawaii.
For more information, contact Chris Brusatte at 310-222-5711 or visit goforbroke.org/about_us/about_us_student_essay.php.
