“Under a Jarvis Moon” Shows at Kamehameha Maui

By Wendy Osher

Courtesy photo, Kamehameha-Maui.

Kamehameha School, Maui revisits the story of six young graduates who sailed from Honolulu Harbor in 1935, under the belief they would be in search of specimens for the Bishop Museum.

The students, carefully recruited for their physical and mental fitness, left home aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Itasca for destinations unknown.

Their story as recounted in the film, “Under a Jarvis Moon” comes to Maui for a free screening as part of Ka Huliau Film and Lecture Series. The screening begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at the Pukalani Campus, Keōpūolani Hale.

The story recounts the travels of these students as they find themselves surviving in total isolation on remote desert islands in the middle of the Pacific.

Under a Jarvis Moon event flyer. Click image to view in detail.

The ability of these young Hawaiian men, as “Americans,” to survive would eventually enable President Roosevelt to claim jurisdiction over Jarvis, Baker, and Howland islands.

The film is presented by Noelle Kahanu, who helped uncover the long lost story buried in the archives of the Bishop Museum. As she found, her own grandfather was among those who played a role in the history of the Jarvis island colony.

Noelle will join her grandfather, George to share their thoughts following the showing. The event is free and open to the public.