Group photo.
At the documentary film showing of A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps, Feb. 5, 2024 at UH Hilo, are from left, Charlene Iboshi of the East Hawai‘i Rotary Action Group for Peace, Jon and Julie Countess who are both returned Peace Corp volunteers, Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, film director Alana DeJoseph, film production assistant Isabella DeJoseph, and Joseph and Diane Theroux who are both returned Peace Corps volunteers. (Courtesy photo)

 

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo hosted a showing of the documentary film, A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps, on Feb. 5 at the Performing Arts Center. The event was free to the public.

The documentary is directed by filmmaker Alana DeJoseph, a former Peace Corp volunteer who attended Monday’s screening. A Q&A with a lively audience followed showing of the film.

The Peace Corps has historical significance to UH Hilo. Hawai‘i Island was chosen as a primary training location for thousands of Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s and the university’s precursor—UH-Hilo Branch—contributed greatly to the training program.

Many who attended Monday’s showing are return Peace Corps volunteers who returned to Hawai‘i Island to settle down and build their careers, becoming productive members of island communities.