The China Mail - Premiere Screenings of 'The 100th: Seeds of Aloha' Documentary Announced in California

Premiere screenings of the documentary "The 100th: Seeds of Aloha" are scheduled for late November at two California locations, offering audiences an opportunity to view the film while it remains in development and provide feedback to the production team.

The first screening will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, located at 2115 W. 182nd St. in Torrance. A second screening is set for Sunday, Nov. 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Venice Japanese Community Center (VJCC), 12448 Braddock Dr., in Los Angeles.

The documentary focuses on the 100th Infantry Battalion, historically known as the "Purple Heart Battalion." The unit was formed from Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJAs) from Hawaii who were serving in the U.S. military at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. Despite facing widespread suspicion regarding their loyalty, the soldiers chose to fight for a country that had doubted them.

Their distinguished combat performance contributed to the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was predominantly composed of AJAs. Most members hailed from Hawaii, while others served as volunteers and draftees from the continental United States, many of whom had family members incarcerated by their own government during World War II.

Together, the 100th/442nd RCT fought across Italy and France, while the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion later detached to advance into Germany. The combined units became one of the most decorated in U.S. military history.

Director Steve Sue describes the film as exploring more than just warfare. He notes that the soldiers stood at the center of a contradiction: America fought tyranny abroad while struggling with racism and prejudice at home. Their story illustrates how individuals can embody national ideals even when the country falls short of them.

Known in Europe as "The Hawaiians," the 100th/442nd RCT carried the spirit of aloha through war and brought it home. According to Sue, for the next 80 years, veterans and the generations they inspired became educators, community leaders, judges, and elected officials. Some entered the very government that had once doubted them, choosing to help improve the system rather than abandon it.

Sue serves as the executive producer, producer, writer, and director of the feature. A Hawaii-based filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and designer, this marks his feature directorial debut. He is also the producer and writer of the award-winning "Shaka: A Story of Aloha." Together, these films form part of an expanding series exploring the meaning and impact of aloha.

Sue chairs ID8, a Hawaii 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produced the film. His work through ID8 contributed to the 2024 designation of the shaka as the official state gesture of Hawaii and the creation of Hawaii’s shaka license plate.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Sue is a descendant of Chinese immigrants who passed through Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in design from UCLA and a Juris Doctor from UC Berkeley before moving to Hawaii more than two decades ago.

The Torrance screening will be followed by a Q&A with Sue and live music by Harold Payne, the film’s music director. The Los Angeles event will also feature a Q&A with Sue, along with performances of songs from the movie by Brian Yamamoto, accompanied by songwriters Payne and Dave Kopatz.

Attendees at both venues can share reactions and feedback with the filmmakers. The production team states that audience input is an important part of the filmmaking process and helps refine the film ahead of its final release and upcoming film festival presentations.

To RSVP for the Torrance event, call (310) 217-7000 or visit faithtorrance.org. For more information regarding the screenings, call (310) 822-8885. Additional details are available at https://100thfilm.org.

A.Sun--ThChM