Sakura & Pearls: WWII Documentary on PBS

Sakura & Pearls Gen Unison WWII Documentary on PBS

Sakura & Pearls: Healing From WWII is a powerful documentary that explores the emotional and cultural legacy of World War II through a rare intergenerational dialogue. Directed by G.K. Hunter and produced by Kindred House Media, the film brings together voices from multiple generations to reflect on trauma, reconciliation, and healing between Japanese and American communities.

Overview

Filmed live at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center in Hawai‘i, Sakura & Pearls captures a unique moment in public history: a conversation between members of the Greatest Generation—those who served in or lived through World War II—and the Silent Generation, who were children when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This dialogue unfolds in front of Gen Z students from the University of Hawai‘i and high school students from Punahou School on O‘ahu, creating a living bridge between past and present.

The documentary uses the symbolic imagery of the cherry blossom (sakura) and the pearl to represent Japanese and American cultural identities. Through personal stories, historical reflection, and ceremonial exchange, the film invites viewers to witness how listening across generations can foster empathy and transformation.

The Greatest Generation During WWII

The term “Greatest Generation” was popularized by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe those born roughly between 1901 and 1927. This generation came of age during the Great Depression and fought in World War II with extraordinary courage and sacrifice. Their valor—on the battlefield and at home—earned them the name for their collective resilience, patriotism, and commitment to rebuilding a peaceful world.

In Sakura & Pearls, members of this generation share firsthand accounts of wartime service and post-war reconciliation. Their stories are met with reflections from the Silent Generation, whose childhood memories of the war shaped their understanding of conflict and peace. Together, they offer mentorship and wisdom to younger audiences, modeling how dialogue can heal historical wounds.

Intergenerational Dialogue and Mentorship

What sets Sakura & Pearls apart is its intentional focus on intergenerational exchange. Rather than presenting history as static, the film stages it as a living conversation. The presence of Gen Z students—many of whom are encountering these stories for the first time—underscores the documentary’s role as mentorship in action. It’s not just about remembering the past; it’s about guiding the future.

By fostering understanding between generations and cultures, Sakura & Pearls becomes more than a documentary—it’s a public act of healing.

Learn More

G. K. Hunter

Documentary Director

G. K. Hunter is the writer/director of the PBS documentary “Sakura & Pearls: Healing from World War II”, about Japanese Survivors of the Atomic Bomb meeting the American Survivors of Pearl Harbor. This remarkable and intense exchange between former enemies is sparking dialogue about how we can resolve historical conflicts without repeating the painful experiences of our ancestors. He’s also the director of “Fuente de Vida: Herencia de los que Vienen” (Source of Life: Inheritance of Those Who Come Next), a documentary about the glaciers melting in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The films shows the inspiring efforts of multiple generations of Peruvians to save the remaining water from the disappearing glaciers for the sake of the future generations.

Hunter is the author of Healing Our Bloodlines: The 8 Realizations of Generational Liberation , which is a guidebook that chronicles his use of a form of inter-generational healing called Bloodline Healing. It shares real stories from his work with Jewish Holocaust Survivors, Native Americans, and Veterans.

An electric speaker and impassioned singer, G. K. Hunter has presented at such venues as the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Cornell University, Pacific Historic Parks “History Talks”, Univ. of Hawaii Matsunaga Institute for Peace, and NPR’s “All Things Considered”.