July 2025

We're Talking Stories

At PBS Hawaiʻi, we recognize the importance of empowering Hawaiʻi filmmakers to tell their own stories, in their own voices, for their own communities. Using PBS Hawaiʻi as a platform to share their work is vital to a thriving local media landscape. Hawaiʻi’s uniqueness is often misunderstood or misrepresented in mainstream media. We offer a trusted space where local filmmakers can tell authentic stories that reflect our diverse cultures, histories, and communities; stories that preserve tradition and promote accurate representation. While that connection reinforces local storytelling, it also opens doors to broader recognition and exposure.

On Thursday, July 31, PBS Hawaiʻi is proud to present Trilogy: It’s In The Heart, a beautiful film by Maui-based Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Stephan Boeker of Pacific Story Tellers.

For 25 years, Stephan captured love stories as a wedding videographer. Today, he channels that emotional depth into powerful documentaries. Last June, Trilogy won a prestigious Northern California Area Emmy Award in the Documentary – Topical category.

The film tells the inspiring story of the Coon family, founders of Trilogy Excursions, who risked everything to build a sailboat and share Maui’s magic. Their inaugural voyage to Lānaʻi in 1973 launched a legacy that continues today.

Stephan’s approach to storytelling proves that excellent filmmaking doesn’t require massive Hollywood budgets – it just needs heart. We’re honored to welcome Stephan to our PBS Hawaiʻi ʻohana and to share this remarkable story across the islands.

With respect,

Ron Mizutani
President and CEO

 

Local Program Highlights

PBS Drama

PBS HAWAIʻI PRESENTS

In Hawaiian Hands: The Story of Reggae in Hawaiʻi
PART II: Jawaii

When reggae music first reached Hawaiʻi from Jamaica, it resonated deeply – its rhythms, messages of struggle, and spirit of pride found a home in local hearts. PBS Hawaiʻi’s In Hawaiian Hands: The Story of Reggae in Hawaiʻi explores how this global sound took root in island culture, evolving into a uniquely local expression.

 

Part II: Jawaii picks up in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when Hawaiʻi’s musicians began blending reggae with slack key, ʻukulele and their own stories – creating the Jawaiian genre. This fusion sparked both celebration and controversy. Was it evolution or appropriation? Stream both parts now at pbshawaii.org or on the PBS Hawaiʻi YouTube channel.

Digital Highlights

PBS Drama

Rewind and unwind this summer!

Summer in Hawaiʻi means two things: shave ice and waterslides! In these two fun throwback episodes of What School You Went?, we visit with Nohea Keaunui-Gould, Wet’n’Wild Hawaiʻi’s Operations Manager and Ultimate Waterslide Tester (yes, that’s a real job!), and chill out with Remy Matsumoto of the iconic Matsumoto Shave Ice to talk about Hawaiʻi’s favorite frozen treat. Catch up on these and more What School You Went? wherever you get your podcasts or online.

National Program Highlights

Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troigros

THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE returns for Season 4, as eight new home cooks are ready to showcase their signature dishes that reflect their backgrounds and culinary stories – from Bangladeshi to Belizean, Puerto Rican to Southern, Cajun to Afghan, Filipino to Thai.

DANTE: INFERNO TO PARADISE

PAPA RAY’S VINTAGE VINYL ROADSHOW, hosted by long time record store owner Tom “Papa” Ray, introduces us to the music, music lovers, and the owners and employees of independent record stores. Ray takes viewers around the U.S. and the U.K. to learn about the cultural histories of their communities and the vinyl revival.

PBS Drama

Stream your favorite PBS shows and create your perfect watchlist by downloading the free PBS App. Looking for early access or to catch up on a previous season? Become a PBS Hawaiʻi member with a gift of $5 a month and get more with your PBS Hawaiʻi Passport.

 

And if you are already eligible and haven’t yet, activate your PBS Hawaiʻi Passport today!

Are you looking for more great programming or our Program Guide?

Click for our latest TV schedule

Because of you, we can…

share island stories, spark transformative discussions and create a safe space for keiki.  These and more, all begin with you. Your generous contributions allow us to cultivate a love of learning. To keep doing what we do, we kindly ask for your support.

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