From 1962 through 1971, more than 7,000 young American volunteers for the newly created Peace Corps underwent training in Hilo and other Hawaii Island locations for service in Asia and the Pacific Islands.
In 2011, following the celebration of the Peace Corps’s 50th anniversary, several returned volunteers and Hawaii training staff were inspired to create a visual montage that would both bring back memories and document their training experience on the Big Island.
The result is an enlightening and evocative documentary — an informative, humorous and poignant record of how young people prepared to help others during one of our nation’s most idealistic decades.
The experience affected not only their own lives, but those of the local communities and individuals who shared in it.
Co-producers Bill Sakovich and Jim Carr created the documentary from some 1,000 donated photos, volunteers’ accounts, stories from local residents, and music provided by the late Bunny Brown and the Hilo Hawaiians.
“Peace Corps Training on the Big Island” is being presented on two occasions: from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday evening, Sept. 9,, and a matinée on the following afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Admission to these programs is free to Lyman Museum members, and $3 to nonmembers.
Support the museum by becoming a member and enjoy all Saigo Series programs, all year round, at no charge.
Seating is limited and is first come, first seated.
On Monday evening, additional parking is available next door at Hilo Union School (Kapiolani Street entrance). Park, then walk through the green gate in the rock wall.
Lyman Museum is located 276 Haili St. in Hilo. Contact: (808) 935-5021 and www.lymanmuseum.org.