Hawaiian life is imbued with the aloha spirit--the spirit of promoting kindness, patience, and the sharing of one's home, food, and friendship. Today, many native Hawaiians feel their aloha spirit has been abused.

Troubled Paradise explores Hawaii's Big Island and uncovers a rich cultural heritage, along with pressing social, environmental and political problems facing the native population. The film also captures performances by noted dancers and musicians, featuring a hula to the goddess Pele, a children's hula group in rehearsal and beautiful ballads by gifted Hawaiian singers.

Native Hawaiians have the lowest median family income of all the state's ethnic groups, with more than 2,000 living in cardboard boxes, rusted cars or tents on the beach. They have the highest percentage of unemployed and incarcerated, and their life expectancy is the lowest in the state. The infant mortality rate is the highest in the nation. In the midst of extraordinary natural beauty, native Hawaiians reveal tormenting issues that conflict with their deeply held traditions.

Major funding provided by

CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WALLACE ALEXANDER GERBODE FOUNDATION

Produced in association with

NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION