Prime Video Documentaries

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Sakura & Pearls: Healing from World War II is a powerful Prime documentary that originally premiered on PBS and is now available for streaming on Prime Video. Directed by G. K. Hunter, this World War 2 documentary offers a rare and emotional encounter between survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack and those who lived through the Hiroshima bombing.

Blending archival footage with raw, firsthand accounts, the film explores the human cost of war and the possibility of reconciliation across cultures and generations. Its innovative approach to storytelling and unfiltered interviews have made it one of the most talked-about PBS documentaries in recent years.

Released globally on Prime Video on Memorial Day 2025, Sakura & Pearls continues to resonate with audiences—from history classrooms to the homes of veterans and their families—offering a deeply personal lens on one of the most pivotal chapters of the 20th century.

See the 30 sec Trailer for Sakura & Pearls: Healing from WWII on PRIME NOW.

Sakura & Pearls: Healing from WWII premiered in Japan in 2021 at the Nagasaki International Film Festival.

In the News: Coverage of Sakura & Pearls: Healing from WWII

Sakura & Pearls: Healing from WWII has received widespread media attention for its powerful portrayal of reconciliation between Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima survivors. Below are highlights from its coverage and festival appearances:

• University of Hawai‘i News spotlighted the film’s origins at Leeward Community College and its premiere on New Mexico PBS. The article details how director G.K. Hunter, a Leeward CC alum, brought together survivors from both sides of the Pacific conflict for a historic meeting at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

• KUNM Public Radio featured an interview with G.K. Hunter, who described the film as a bridge for healing and understanding. The segment explores the emotional impact of the survivor testimonies and the filmmaker’s vision for peace through dialogue.

• Albuquerque Journal covered the documentary’s local ties and its resonance with New Mexico audiences, particularly through its broadcast on New Mexico PBS and its relevance to regional veterans and educators.

• Nagasaki Peace Film Forum included Sakura & Pearls in its international lineup, recognizing the film’s contribution to global peace education and its message of reconciliation across generations.

• The official trailer on YouTube offers a glimpse into the documentary’s emotional depth, featuring archival footage and firsthand survivor accounts that have made it a favorite among educators, veterans, and families.

Watch Sakura & Pearls: Healing from WWII on PRIME NOW!

Film Summary: Sakura & Pearls: Healing from World War II

Sakura & Pearls: Healing from World War II is a compelling Prime documentary originally broadcast on PBS, directed by G. K. Hunter. The film documents a historic and deeply emotional gathering between survivors of two defining moments of World War II: the attack on Pearl Harbor and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. This rare meeting, held at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center with the USS Arizona Memorial visible in the background, brought together four individuals whose lives were forever shaped by war.

The documentary captures their face-to-face dialogue in front of students from Punahou High School and the University of Hawai‘i, offering a powerful lesson in empathy, resilience, and the possibility of healing across cultural and historical divides. Through intimate interviews and archival footage, the film explores how shared pain can lead to mutual understanding—and how reconciliation can emerge from even the most devastating conflict.

G. K. Hunter’s cinematic approach blends historical context with personal testimony, making Sakura & Pearls both a valuable educational resource and a moving tribute to the human spirit.

“When those once divided by war meet in person, something extraordinary happens: healing begins.”
— G. K. Hunter

Featured Participants

Everett Hyland
Radioman Third Class, U.S. Navy Veteran and Pearl Harbor Survivor
Wounded during the attack aboard the USS Pennsylvania, Hyland went on to serve throughout WWII, earning multiple campaign ribbons and the Purple Heart. After the war, he became a beloved educator and volunteer at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. His appearance in the film was his final public testimony, and the documentary is dedicated to his legacy.

Jimmy Lee
Child Witness of the Pearl Harbor Attack
At just 11 years old, Jimmy Lee experienced the bombing from his home near the harbor. He later served in the military and worked as a federal employee, eventually becoming a longtime volunteer educator at the Visitor Center. His participation in the film stands as a lasting tribute following his passing shortly after filming.

Koko Kondo
Hiroshima Survivor and Global Peace Advocate
The daughter of Reverend Kiyoshi Tanimoto, Koko was a child when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Her lifelong commitment to peace and her appearance on “This Is Your Life” alongside the Enola Gay’s captain have made her a symbol of reconciliation and courage.

Masahiro Sasaki
Hiroshima Survivor and Brother of Sadako Sasaki
Masahiro’s sister Sadako became a global icon of peace through her story of folding paper cranes. Masahiro has continued that legacy, sharing their experiences to promote understanding and healing between former adversaries.

Filmed at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, Sakura & Pearls offers a once-in-a-generation glimpse into the power of dialogue and remembrance. It’s now available for streaming on Prime Video.