About 100TH FILM

Film Statement

The 100th, Seeds of Aloha is a feature-length educational documentary dedicated to the 100th Infantry Battalion – a unit predominately made up of Americans of Japanese descent (AJAs) from Hawaiʻi – who fought heroically to liberate Italy and France, earning the name “The Purple Heart Battalion.” Their losses were so dire that they were eventually combined with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team including the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion (both also primarily AJA soldiers from Hawaiʻi) to become one of the most decorated units in US military history. But this isn’t just a tale of war – it’s a testament to soldiers who raised the bars on heroism and valor through applying the Spirit of Aloha, both during the War and for 80 years after.

While we knew the story to be epic, our team didnʻt initially think itself a good match as weʻre known for Aloha rather than war. This was recently underscored by our completing the documentary, Shaka, A Story of Aloha. But several veterans had other ideas and they badgered us about story of the 100th Infantry Battalion saying itʻs never been adequately been told.

Eventually, I poked around a bit… got intrigued… consulted a few people in the know… then waved the white flag. The vets were right. Itʻs an incredible and important story. I wrote a treatment that I felt our nonprofit would buy into — a delicate balance of being respectful of those in the war effort while framing a hopeful and healing story of a post-war legacy that results in paradise rising from the ashes of war.

I shared my take on the story with the vets, and they liked it. It seems that we all appreciated how the gravity of the story can help todayʻs world, and that it has the kind of emotional appeal that will melt even the most hardened of hearts. Frankly, now 80+ years after the conflict, many realize that itʻs high time to convey a story that fosters a healing attitude alongside the conventional essentials of reverence and gratitude. Weʻre now in 100% and truly excited to take part in the telling of this story.

Top priorities include deep research, listening to anyone who will contribute, recording and organizing it all and being 100% open to vetting and tweaking to get every detail and nuance correct. This requires a massive team effort, literally an army of military experts, historians and interested individuals to ensure accuracy, appropriate honor and reverence for the sacrifices of our service persons. To that end, I’m grateful for all the individuals, veteran organizations, companies, government, nonprofits, and the community for engaging with the project.

Weʻre honored to be entrusted to tell this story and hope that through it, we empower many to use the Aloha Spirit to make the world a better place.

Shaka Steve, (Steve Sue) Producer & ID8 Chairperson

ID8 is a Honolulu-based 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters ideation and expression to create positive impacts. Key programs include Project Shaka, a movement to share Aloha through a trilogy of documentary films including The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha.