Sept. 2, 2025, marked 80 years since World War II ended. I was recently interviewed by Alasdair Baverstock with CGTN TV in order to share the WWII experience in Hawai‘i and recognize this anniversary. The documentary can be found by searching the internet for “Rise from Ashes: Pearl Harbor: A turning point of WWII” or at tinyurl.com/RiseFromAshesPearlHarbor. Most of the interviewees agreed war should be avoided. So how can we take action to promote peace?
Local filmmaker Steve Sue’s mission is to take action for peace by sharing aloha and values through his nonprofit, ID8. “Shaka, A Story of Aloha,” his first film produced by ID8, won the 2024 Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival. It explores the shaka’s origins, meaning and how it relates to creating and preserving paradise. Steve and Hawai‘i State Legislators helped the shaka become the first official hand gesture in the US.
Steve’s second film, “The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha,” reveals the story of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd RCT and the 522nd FAB. The film goes beyond the battlefield to explore how Americans of Japanese ancestry rose above clouds of discrimination to redefine heroism and valor. The combined 100th and 442nd was one of the most decorated in WWII, achieving military excellence while sharing the aloha spirit. Post war, under the GI Bill, they became educated leaders, proving Americans come in all colors. President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981 in 1948, which desegregated the military, a significant civil rights event.
Steve is passionate about making the world a better place, drawing no compensation for his film work. His generosity inspired the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans–Club 100 to donate $25,000. His dedication also inspired me to make a personal donation, and to invest my time and funds to fly to Italy, France and Germany to aid in the film’s production by interviewing villagers I met on prior trips.
The film is targeted to be shown in 2026 to honor the 250th anniversary of our country.
Take action today through your donation to the film: 100thfilm.com/donate.
100th INFANTRY BATTALION VETERANS
520 Kamoku St. Honolulu, HI 96826
For more information:
info@100thbattalion.org | 808-946-0272
Leave a Reply