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Sunday, May 13 at 4 p.m. – One Voice

(Rochester, NY) – One Voice, airing Sunday, May 13 at 4 p.m. on WXXI-TV/HD (DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11), is a documentary that tells the story of language, culture, perseverance, and love. Kamehameha High School Principal Julian Ako recently expressed it succinctly as "the story of our people's struggle to restore the vibrancy of our culture and language to the nation and the world. There are so many valuable messages that are shared in this documentary. Maika'i loa! We can all be proud of this work."

The Kamehameha Schools Song Contest, a tradition nearly 90 years in the making, is a one-of-a-kind presentation of Hawaiian language, song, and dance. The melodies of a capella choral music performed in harmony by hundreds of high school students are unforgettable. Filmed in high definition, this feature length documentary follows student song leaders of the Kamehameha Schools as they experience the trials and tribulations of competition in this annual high school event. A unique contest placed in a unique setting, the audience is led through a process that shares a love for community, passion for Hawaiian music, and the story of a people who nearly lost their language and culture.

One Voice captures the emotional effort it takes to prepare for the competition held in March 2008. The theme that year was ‘Ola Ka ‘Olelo ‘Oiwi O Ka ‘Aina – celebrating Hawaiian Language revitalization. The viewing audience will experience Hawaiian culture not only as it lives in the children and their families today, but also as it has survived, grown, and flourished in our Islands. By the time the documentary reaches the culminating performance, the audience will be just as invested in who wins the competition as the students themselves.

Pictured: A group of Juniors

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