Some programs on KCTS Channel 9 this Sunday for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

Ki Ho'alu (Loosen the Key): Keola Beamer (Sun 5/28 4:00-5:00 PM )

Ki Ho 'alu (Loosen the Key) features the performances of Keola Beamer. Its multiple awards include; 'Best Documentary' - New York International Film Festival, 'Best Cinematography' - Los Angeles Independent Film Festival, and the 'Gold Remi' Award at the Houston International Film Festival. The film was produced and directed by Kenneth M. Burgmaier. Critics have called this, 'An Uplifting Spiritual Journey' and 'The Best Slack Key Documentary Ever Made.' It includes appearances by Willie Nelson, George Winston, Ozzie Kotani, Ledward Ka 'apana, Willie K, Cindy Combs, Moanalani and Nona Beamer.

The Spirit of Taiko (Sun 5/28 5:00-6:00 PM)

The magic beat of drums has captivated people in every culture throughout time. In Japan , they call it taiko, or 'big drum.' A new genre of taiko drumming took hold in the United States in the 1960s which is now evolving into a dynamic "new" performance art. THE SPIRIT OF TAIKO traces this movement through the eyes of three generations of artists, bringing this bold and dramatic music alive. The documentary includes interviews with Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo, Masato Baba, PJ Hirabayashi, members of Kinnara Taiko, Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Russel Baba and Jeanne Aiko Mercer, Mark Miyoshi and many others.