Lava Land - Glowing Hawaii

The Story Room: The Making of 'Lilo & Stitch'

September 2004 •English

An in-depth look at the making of Lilo & Stitch (2002).

Facing The Killer Volcano

January 2011 •English

After 200 years, the Fugen-Dake volcano awoke in 1991. Journalists, cameramen and scientists flocked to Mount Unzen to study the eruption. For some of them, it would be a fatal choice.

Shaka: A Story of Aloha

June 2023 •English

A documentary on the origin, meanings and uses of the gesture. The shaka sign is reputed to be over a century old, but its origins are the stuff of myths and legends. It turns out that kupuna (Hawaiian elders) have kept the story secret for almost a century. Why? They didn't want it told incorrectly or commercialized. But given advancing age and a world in need, they decided it was time to share the story.

Russia - In the Realm of Tigers, Bears and Volcanoes

January 2011 •German

A window into Russia, unknown to Western man, and even to many Russians. "Russia - the largest country in the world. In many of its parts, it remains unknown world full of wonders. Let the world and will continue for the generations that come after us".

Vecinos del volcán

Invalid date •Spanish

Hao Wela: The Untold Story of Hot Rodding in Hawai'i

November 2017 •English

Generations of vibrant racing communities have flourished in Hawai'i since the arrival of the first automobiles and motorcycles at the turn of the 20th century. Follow Mark Hanson, Psychology Professor and lifelong island "gearhead," as he explores the history, people and passion of the uniquely gracious speed culture that has been evolving in Hawai‘i for over a century.

Kapu Aloha 101: Ke Kula o Maunakea

July 2015 •English

Documenting the Kapu Aloha movement, as they take a stand to defend Mauna Kea in the wake of the Thirty Meter Telescope protests.

Villi Knudsen's Iceland

January 1992 •English

Features volcano watches in Iceland from 1984-91, showing the country's highlands, Askja, Kverkjoll, Herdubreidarlindir, Sprengisandur, and Jokulsa Canyon. Presents Landmannalaugur and the popular trek from this Myvatn, Skaftafell, and glacier bursts from the Grimsvotn and Graenalon lakes. Depicts scenes of winter traveling in Iceland, Reykjavik, the Blue lagoon, Geysir hot spring, the site of Parliament in Thingvellir, and Kulusuk on the east coast of greenland. Includes the earthquake sequence that shook the island in September 1986 and sequences from the volcanic eruptions at Mount Hekla (1947-48, 1970, 1980-81, and 1991), Surtsey (1963-67) Heimaey Island (1973), Lake Myvatn (1975-84) and Grimsvotn Lake (1983).

¡Vivan las Antipodas!

November 2011 •Spanish

What would be the shortest route between Entre Rios in Argentina and the Chinese metropolis Shanghai? Simply a straight line through the center of the earth, since the two places are antipodes: they are located diametrically opposite to each other on the earth's surface. During his visits to four such antipodal pairs, the award-winning documentary filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky captured images that turn our view of the world upside down.

Hawaii, l'âme du ukulélé

February 2020 •French

A passionate ukulele player, cartoonist Joann Sfar ("The Rabbi's Cat") flies to Hawaii to explore the history of the little instrument, as well as the culture that surrounds it. For the pocket guitar, imported in 1879 by the Portuguese from Madeira who had come to harvest sugar cane, is the vector of a philosophy specific to the archipelago: the spirit of "Aloha", which condenses hospitality, joy, love and respect. With brushes in hand, Joann Sfar set out in search of the ideal instrument, meeting craftsmen, musicians, dancers and guardians of Hawaiian culture.

Across the World with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson

February 1930 •English

As if they were showing their film to a few friends in their home, the Johnsons describe their trip across the world, which begins in the South Pacific islands of Hawaii, Samoa, Australia, the Solomons (where they seek and find cannibals), and New Hebrides. Thence on to Africa via the Indian Ocean, Suez Canal, North Africa, and the Nile River to lion country in Tanganyika. (They are briefly joined in Khartum by George Eastman and Dr. Al Kayser.) Taking a safari in the Congo, the Johnsons see animals and pygmies, and travel back to Uganda, British East Africa, and Kenya.

Krakatoa: The Last Days

June 2006 •English

A historical drama documentary depicting the eruption of Krakatoa volcano in 1883. The volcano was located in the Sunda strait in Indonesia and its eruption resulted in tsunami, rains of coals and ash, and ended with a very hot tsunami. The eruption killed more than 36,000 people and those survived were left with burns.

Pidgin: The Voice of Hawai'i

October 2009 •English

What if you are made to feel ashamed when you speak your "mother tongue" or ridiculed because of your accent? "Pidgin: The Voice of Hawai'i" addresses these questions through its lively examination of Pidgin - the language spoken by over half of Hawai'i's people.

The Roots of 'Ulu

January 2015 •English

Follow the mythological origins of ‘ulu, its journey from Tahiti to Hawai‘i on Polynesian voyaging canoes, and modern efforts to revitalize breadfruit as a possible solution to food shortages. Native practitioners, medical specialists and agricultural experts have a shared vision of the ‘ulu tree playing an important role in cultural preservation, health restoration and food sustainability for Hawai‘i’s future.

The Night Marchers

February 2001 •English

The Night Marchers follows a "real" documentary crew who have strangely disappeared following a journey to chilling Hawaiian site. On a mission to search for the site where ancient Hawaiian spirits are rumored to appear at night, a five-person documentary crew vanishes -- leaving only their footage. Kevin Peterson, the crew's consultant, becomes concerned about the crew, and flies to Hawaii to search for them. Having no luck, he contacts local police and receives the tapes. Using that footage, Peterson and the police try to piece together the fate of the crew -- did the mysterious spirits intervene?

Baie de Naples, la colère des volcans

March 2020 •French

The Rain Follows The Forest

January 2012 •English

Catch Jason Scott Lee in “The Rain Follows The Forest” as he sets out on a journey to learn about sustainable life in our island home. Through interesting conversations, he learns about Hawaiʻi’s fragile fresh water supply and discovers connections to our upland forest environment.

Conquest of Hawaii

October 2003 •English

History Channel documentary which chronicles the history of Hawai'i and the rarely told story of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by the American government.

The Sand Island Story

January 1981 •English

This short documentary chronicles a four-month period between 1979 and 1980 when residents of Hawaii's Sand Island "squatter" community attempted to resist eviction from the Honolulu shoreline - resulting in displacement, arrests, and the destruction of a community.

Samuel Wilder King: Fighting for Statehood

December 2018 •English

Samuel Wilder King, a descendant of Scottish sailors and Hawaiian royalty, served as a distinguished Naval officer in both World Wars before becoming Governor of the Hawaii Territory. This short film delves into King’s fearless leadership—from navigating the high seas during WWI to fighting against the internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaii during WWII—ultimately championing Hawaii's path to statehood as the 50th star on the American flag.