ONE VOICE is a documentary film that tells the story of the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest through the eyes of the student song directors as they prepare to compete in a celebration of the revitalization of the Hawaiian language. (It’s like a real life Hawaiian GLEE.) Every year in Hawai’i, nearly 2000 high school students compete in the Song Contest where students direct their classmates in singing Hawaiian songs in four-part harmony, acapella. Started in 1921, the annual Song Contest is a unique cultural celebration that has become a major event in Hawai’i. The Contest is a unique cultural celebration that has become a major local event, broadcasted live on TV, played on the radio, and streamed on the Internet. The film follows the young student leaders as they prepare to compete in a celebration of the revitalization of the Hawaiian language.

ONE VOICE shares the thrill of the competition via the personal stories of the student song directors as they experience the trials and tribulations of competition in this annual high school event. Following the elected student song directors, the audience sees how the tradition creates an indelible experience that builds class unity, instills cultural pride, and builds character. The film also explores their world outside of school by meeting their families, or ‘ohana, and revealing their hopes and dreams for the future. Through the stories and lives of these contemporary high school students, the audience will experience Hawaiian culture as it has survived, flourished, and grown through the universal power of music and song.

The film has picked up several awards. Look for it coming to a film festival near you. The documentary is from director Lisette Marie Flanary, who did Nā Kamalei: The Men of Hula.

One Voice Trailer

One Voice Clip