About the Film
Great Grandfather's Drum Great Grandfather’s Drum celebrates Japanese American culture and history in Hawai’i. The contribution of Americans of Japanese Ancestry to the history of Hawai’i and Maui is an inspiring century-long story of plantation life, of heroism and internment during WWII, of forging a new political landscape after the war, and helping create statehood for Hawai’i. Throughout this time of change, many Americans of Japanese Ancestry kept a strong link to their cultural heritage, and their values helped shape modern Hawai’i.
Connecting the past with the present, Great Grandfather’s Drum brings this history alive by combining it with the contemporary story of the taiko drum ensemble Maui Taiko. Their ancestors helped perpetuate Japanese traditions and taiko music through five generations on Maui. Maui Taiko was formed in 1996 by Kay Fukumoto, her family and friends, making Kay one of the first woman taiko performers in the U.S.
The film combines traditional music, the wisdom of many elders who lived this history, the excitement of live performance, and historical materials. The documentary was filmed in Maui, Oahu and Japan. The filmmakers traveled with members of Maui Taiko to their ancestral homeland of Fukushima, Japan on an emotional journey to reconnect with their musical roots. In Fukushima Maui Taiko performed Fukushima Ondo, a traditional obon song handed down in Maui for over a century.
The film includes scenes of young performers, drum-making, mochi-making and performances of songs such as Fukushima Ondo and Hole Hole Bushi.
The program was produced between 2007 and 2011 by international award winning filmmakers Victoria and Cal Lewin of Opticus Films.
Maui Taiko has over 50 members, from age 7 to 84. The group and has performed across the US and in Japan. They also conduct taiko classes and co-sponsor the annual Maui Matsuri Japanese Festival.
