Pacific Islanders in Communications

09/02/2026

Waitlist for a surgery leaves a Māori teen’s future uncertain...

Stream BORN THIS WAY: AWA’S STORY now on YouTube 🔗 link in bio

Film credits
Director: Mitchell Hawkes
Producer: Arwen O’Connor Skelly

This film contains depictions and themes of su***de or self-harm. Viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, we’ve listed some resources in the U.S. and New Zealand below:

United States
◦ If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
◦ Need to talk? Free and confidential call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

New Zealand:
◦ If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
◦ Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to talk with a trained counsellor for any reason.

08/27/2026

Indigenous women across the Pacific seek support in their birthing choices

Pacific Heartbeat, Season 13
Ep 5. PACIFIC MOTHER Pacific Mother Film

Releases on PBS platforms on Thurs, September 17:
➤ Check your local public media TV listing for a broadcast airing
➤ Stream on PBS.org or the PBS App 🔗 link in bio

Film Credits:
Director: Katherine McRae Katherine McRae
Producer: Migiwa Ozawa, Shin Yamaguchi
Co-Producer: Katherine McRae
Executive Producer: Alex Reed
Consultant Producer: Karin Williams Karin Williams

08/26/2026

Three Native Hawaiian families of mother-daughter activists stand to protect Mauna Kea from a thirty meter telescope

Pacific Heartbeat, Season 13
Ep 4. STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS

Releases on PBS platforms on Thurs, September 10:
➤ Check your local public media TV listing for a broadcast airing
➤ Stream on PBS.org or the PBS App 🔗 link in bio

Film Credits:
Director: Jalena Keane-Lee
Producer: Jalena Keane-Lee, Amber Espinosa-Jones, Erin Lau
Co-Producer: Pua Case
Executive Producer: Jess Devaney, Anya Rous Ruth, Ann Harnisch

08/25/2026

Kumu Patrick Makuakāne’s newest theater production explores the history and meaning of māhū

Pacific Heartbeat, Season 13
Ep 3. MĀHŪ: A TRANS-PACIFIC LETTER

Releases on PBS platforms on Thurs, September 3:
➤ Check your local public media TV listing for a broadcast airing
➤ Stream on PBS.org or the PBS App 🔗 link in bio

Film Credits:
Director: Lisette Marie Flanary
Producer: Lisette Marie Flanary
Executive Producer: Patrick Makuakāne, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson

08/25/2026

The tale of a Hawaiian Finch who sued the State of Hawai’i

Pacific Heartbeat, Season 13
Ep 2. A PARADISE LOST

Releases on PBS platforms on Thurs, August 27:
➤ Check your local public media TV listing for a broadcast airing
➤ Stream on https://www.pbs.org/show/pacific-heartbeat/or
➤ Stream on the PBS App

Film Credits:
Director: Laurie Sumiye
Producer: Anne Misawa, Laurie Sumiye
Co-Producer: Zoya Baker, Erik C. Chang, Tori Gallacher, Nicole Tsien
Co-Executive Producer: Valeria Y. O. Kim

08/21/2026

Hawai'i, this one's for you...

PBS Hawai‘i has released a broadcast schedule for Pacific Heartbeat Season 13. Tune in together or catch an encore airing at later time 💙

P.S. Stay tuned for the station's broadcast premiere of Episode 3, MĀHŪ: A TRANS-PACIFIC LOVE LETTER

08/20/2026

Follow three Tahitian women as they fight climate change to protect their island home

Pacific Heartbeat, Season 13

Ep 1. TE PUNA ORA is now available to watch on PBS platforms:
➤ Check your local public media TV listing for a broadcast airing
➤ Stream on PBS.org: https://www.pbs.org/video/te-puna-ora-the-source-of-life-y8lw7d/
➤ Stream on the PBS App

Film Credits:
Director: Virginie Tetoofa Virginie Tetoofa
Producer: Virginie Tetoofa, Riham Ezzaldeen, Kiran Jandu
Co-Producer: Beathe Hofseth
Executive Producer: Ciara Leina’ala Lacy Ciara Lacy
AHI COMPANY

08/19/2026

Pacific Heartbeat Season 13 kicks off with TE PUNA ORA: THE SOURCE OF LIFE (directed by Virginie Tetoofa) on PBS

Release date refer to:
᯽ The first day your local PBS station may broadcast* an episode, and
᯽ The first day to begin streaming an episode on PBS.org and the PBS app

*Broadcast airings/schedule may be found through you local public TV station https://www.pbs.org/stations/

08/19/2026

WE. ARE. BACK.

Mark your calendars, Pacific Heartbeat returns for a 13th season on Thursday, August 20 on PBS 📺

This season, we're presenting 5 EPISODES:
᯽ Ep 1. TE PUNA ORA: THE SOURCE OF LIFE directed by Virginie Tetoofa
᯽ Ep 2. A PARADISE LOST directed by Laurie Sumiye
᯽ Ep 3. MĀHŪ: A TRANS-PACIFIC LOVE LETTER directed by Lisette Marie Flanary
᯽ Ep 4. STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS directed by Jalena Keane-Lee Standing Above the Clouds
᯽ Ep 5. PACIFIC MOTHER directed by Katherine McRae

Episodes will release weekly! Check your local listings for broadcast airings, or stream episodes on PBS.org and the PBS app.

Pacific Heartbeat is our anthology series that provides viewers a glimpse of the real Pacific its people, cultures, languages, music, and contemporary issues. Showcasing films from Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, Australia, and their diasporic communities, the series draws viewers into the heart and soul of Pacific Islander experiences.

https://youtu.be/3Avj3jBXJHg?si=9-bGUWZjyH8yYwW1

New season premieres Thursday, August 20 on PBS!Announcing the 13...

08/17/2026

Statement on Executive Leadership Transition

Today, Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) announced the departure of Cheryl Hirasa from her role as executive director. Maluhia Kaimikaua Snook, PIC’s director of operations, has been appointed interim executive director.

“We thank Cheryl for her service to PIC and wish her well in her future endeavors,” said Janel Quirante, president of the PIC Board of Directors. “The board is grateful to Maluhia for stepping into this role. Her years of experience with PIC, institutional knowledge and demonstrated leadership will provide stability and continuity during this transition.”

PIC’s board and staff remain focused on advancing the organization’s mission and continuing its work in support of Pacific Islander storytellers, media makers and communities...

Please read our full statement: www.piccom.org/news_posts/statement-on-executive-leadership-transition-1

“I am honored by the Board's appointment and the trust they have placed in me to serve as Interim Executive Director of Pacific Islanders in Communications. Through my years at PIC, I have seen firsthand how powerful authentic storytelling can be in bringing visibility to Pacific Island communities, preserving culture, and creating opportunities for filmmakers. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated Board and staff as we continue advancing our mission, building on PIC's remarkable legacy, and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.” - Maluhia Kaimikaua Snook, Interim Executive Director and Director of Operations

Statement on Executive Leadership Transition   PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Today, Pacific Islanders in...