Rooted in Hawaiʻi: Producing a 5-Part Documentary Series for Chaminade University
Chaminade University Documentary: Rooted in Hawaiʻi
Documentary storytelling has the power to preserve knowledge, celebrate culture, and create meaningful connections between people and place. That was the goal behind Rooted in Hawaiʻi, a five-part documentary series produced by Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo and filmed by Hawaii Video Pro for Chaminade University in Honolulu.
The series explores Hawaiian values, culture, language, leadership, and student experiences through interviews with students, faculty, administrators, and cultural practitioners. Narrated in the Hawaiian language, Rooted in Hawaiʻi provides viewers with a deeper understanding of how Hawaiian traditions continue to influence education, identity, and community within a modern university setting.
Producing the Rooted in Hawaiʻi Documentary
As a Chaminade University documentary project, Rooted in Hawaiʻi was designed to capture authentic voices and lived experiences. Rather than relying on scripted messaging, the series allows students, faculty members, and cultural leaders to share their own stories and perspectives.
Through documentary interviews, classroom experiences, cultural activities, and campus life, the project reveals how education extends beyond academics to include culture, service, leadership, and community engagement.
The production featured a diverse group of participants representing multiple disciplines, backgrounds, and experiences, creating a rich portrait of life at Chaminade University.
Exploring Hawaiian Values Through Storytelling
The documentary is organized around four important symbols that help guide the series:
- The Canoe
- The Kukui Nut
- Waterfalls
- The Mamo Bird
Each symbol represents a different aspect of growth, learning, leadership, and connection.
The Canoe explores collective responsibility and leadership, reminding students that everyone has a role in the journey. The episode features imagery of Iosepa, a voyaging canoe that reinforces themes of perseverance, community, and shared purpose.
The Kukui Nut symbolizes knowledge and illumination. This chapter highlights Hawaiian language studies, cultural learning, kalo cultivation, hula, and the Pacific Island Review, Chaminade University’s annual celebration of Pacific Island cultures.
Waterfalls represent the flow of knowledge and relationships across generations. The episode explores mentorship, cultural exchange, service, and leadership while honoring the legacy of Hawaiian kupuna Henry Gomes and examining the integration of Hawaiian-based curriculum within the School of Nursing.
The Mamo Bird serves as a symbol of aspiration and growth. As the concluding chapter, it reflects on how education, culture, mentorship, and community help students prepare for future opportunities while remaining connected to their values and identity.
Filming Culture, Education, and Community
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was documenting the many ways students engage with Hawaiian culture throughout their educational journey.
From Hawaiian language instruction and cultural practices to community events and leadership development, the series highlights experiences that help shape both personal and academic growth.
The production also captured the Pacific Island Review, Chaminade University’s signature cultural showcase. The annual event brings together students, faculty, families, and community members to celebrate the diversity, traditions, music, dance, and heritage of Pacific Island cultures.
These moments provided opportunities to document authentic interactions and meaningful experiences that help define campus life.
Why Documentary Video Matters for Universities
Educational institutions have powerful stories to tell. Documentary filmmaking allows universities to move beyond traditional marketing and create content that preserves history, shares cultural knowledge, and highlights the experiences of the people who make a community unique.
For Chaminade University, Rooted in Hawaiʻi became an opportunity to document the voices of students, faculty, and cultural practitioners while exploring the values that continue to shape future generations.
Long-form storytelling also creates lasting value. Documentary content can support recruitment, alumni engagement, community outreach, cultural preservation, and institutional storytelling for years to come.
A Collaborative Production
Rooted in Hawaiʻi represents a collaborative effort between Chaminade University, producer Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo, participating students and faculty, and the Hawaii Video Pro production team.
Projects like this demonstrate the power of documentary filmmaking to connect audiences with authentic stories while preserving the cultural knowledge, experiences, and values that help define a community.
At Hawaii Video Pro, we are honored to help organizations tell stories that matter.
Filmed by Hawaii Video Pro
https://hawaiivideopro.com
For more behind the scenes stories, neighborhood features, and television segments filmed across Hawaiʻi, visit our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@hawaiivideopro
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Watch the complete Rooted in Hawaiʻi documentary series:
