Katsu Goto’s incredible true story, a powerful saga of hope and inspiration arising from tragedy, is the subject of a remarkable new documentary about a poignant chapter in Hawaii’s history.
Katsu Goto’s incredible true story, a powerful saga of hope and inspiration arising from tragedy, is the subject of a remarkable new documentary about a poignant chapter in Hawaii’s history.
Today, more than 130 years after Goto arrived in the islands to work on a sugar plantation, his story is being given new life with the vision of filmmakers Patsy Iwasaki and Danny Miller. Their presentation at the Lyman Museum explores the research and making of “Honoka‘a Hero: The Story of Katsu Goto” — a film spanning his life as plantation laborer, to successful businessman and labor rights advocate, to his tragic lynching in Honokaa town in 1889.
The documentary features historical reenactments by students from the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Performing Arts Department and its chairwoman, Jackie Pualani Johnson. Joining Iwasaki and Miller is Yoshinori Kato, a researcher who shares some of his important contributions to the film.
This program is being offered on two occasions at the Lyman Museum — 7-8:30 p.m. March 6 and 3-4:30 p.m. March 7. The presentation is part of Lyman Museum’s Saigo Public Program lecture series. Admission is free to museum members, $3 for nonmembers. Space is limited; first come, first seated.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawaii. Located at 276 Haili St., the museum is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.