The 46th Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF46) celebrates the rich cultural heritage and enduring connections between Okinawa and Hawai‘i through its annual SPOTLIGHT ON OKINAWA program.
The bond between Okinawa and Hawai‘i stretches back more than a century, beginning with the arrival of Okinawan immigrants to Hawai‘i’s sugar plantations in 1900. Over generations, Okinawan families have helped shape Hawai‘i’s multicultural identity while preserving their distinct Uchinānchu heritage through language, music, dance, food, and community traditions. Today, Hawai‘i is home to one of the largest Okinawan diaspora communities in the world, with cultural and familial ties that continue to connect the two island chains.
The Festival’s annual SPOTLIGHT ON OKINAWA celebrates this living legacy through cinema, introducing audiences to contemporary Okinawan stories that reflect the islands’ distinctive identity, traditions, and evolving cultural landscape.
At HIFF46, the Festival presents two uplifting films exploring community, perseverance, ancestral wisdom, and the relationship between people and place.
Featured Films
CHURA VITA
U.S. Premiere | Japan, 2026 | Director: Tsukasa Kishimoto
Okinawan filmmaker Tsukasa Kishimoto, whose HAPPY SANDWICH screened at HIFF in 2023, returns with a heartfelt exploration of Okinawa’s celebrated longevity and connection to nature. When a Swedish traveler arrives seeking the secrets to a long and healthy life, an unexpected encounter with a stranded dolphin leads her on a journey through Okinawan traditions, ancestral wisdom, and environmental stewardship.
PUREHEARTED
Hawai‘i Premiere | Japan, 2025 | Director: Kaoru Haga
Inspired by a true story, PUREHEARTED follows Majimu, a timid Okinawan office worker who dreams of producing locally made rum from Okinawan sugarcane. Despite her inexperience and the skepticism of those around her, her determination inspires an entire community to rally behind her vision. A charming celebration of Okinawan ingenuity, entrepreneurial spirit, and cultural pride.
A Cultural Bridge Through Cinema
More than a film showcase, SPOTLIGHT ON OKINAWA honors the contributions of Okinawan immigrants and their descendants to Hawai‘i while connecting local audiences with contemporary filmmaking from their ancestral homeland. Through stories of resilience, community, and cultural identity, the program reflects HIFF’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and celebrating the shared experiences of island communities across the Pacific.
Join us at HIFF46 for the Festival’s annual SPOTLIGHT ON OKINAWA and discover the stories and voices shaping Okinawan cinema today.
Explore the Festival lineup and purchase tickets at boxoffice.hiff.org.
Special mahalo to Maurice Yamasato & Kauai Comic Con, Bob Nakasone, and Dwayne Mukai for their generous donations underwriting this year’s SPOTLIGHT ON OKINAWA, and to Shari Y. Tamashiro for her steadfast support and friendship with HIFF, as well as being a stalwart champion of Okinawan-Hawai’i culture in the community.
