Produced by Victoria and Cal Lewin.
Great Grandfather’s Drum celebrates Japanese American culture and history in Hawaii as told through an intimate and joyful portrait of Maui Taiko, a contemporary Japanese American drum ensemble, descendants of plantation workers, and by elders who lived this history. An inspiring century-long story of struggle and success in the greatest American tradition—of plantation life, patriotic heroism during World War II, and helping to create statehood for Hawaii.
Experience Maui Taiko’s dynamic performances on the giant drums, and travel with them on a heartfelt journey back to rural Japan to seek their ancestral roots. These families handed down taiko traditions through five generations in Hawaii. Taiko is a living part of their community today.
Closed captioned. Running time: 57 min.
Read our interview with Maui Taiko about this film on Discover Nikkei: Stories United: The Japanese American Journey and Maui Taiko
