Skip to Main Content
American Experience

The Island Murder

Honolulu's tranquility was shattered when a Navy wife made a drastic allegation of rape.

Aired 04/17/2018 | Expired 04/18/2021 | Rating TV-PG

The Island Murder

We’re sorry, but this video is not available.

American Experience

The Island Murder

Season 30 Episode 6 | 52m 57sVideo has Closed Captions

Honolulu's tranquility was shattered when a Navy wife made a drastic allegation of rape.

In the summer 1931, Honolulu's tropical tranquility was shattered when a young Navy wife made a drastic allegation of rape against five nonwhite islanders. What unfolded in the following days and weeks was a racially-charged murder case that would make headlines across the nation, enrage Hawai'i's native population, and galvanize the island's law enforcers and the nation's social elite.

Aired 04/17/2018 | Expired 04/18/2021 | Rating TV-PG

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Support provided by:

Liberty Mutual InsuranceCarlisle
American Experience

The Island Murder

Season 30 Episode 6 | 52m 57sVideo has Closed Captions

In the summer 1931, Honolulu's tropical tranquility was shattered when a young Navy wife made a drastic allegation of rape against five nonwhite islanders. What unfolded in the following days and weeks was a racially-charged murder case that would make headlines across the nation, enrage Hawai'i's native population, and galvanize the island's law enforcers and the nation's social elite.

Aired 04/17/2018 | Expired 04/18/2021 | Rating TV-PG

How to Watch American Experience

American Experience is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.

Find curriculum-aligned teaching resources for American ExperienceTeaching resources for American ExperienceExplore Free Resources
When is a photo an act of resistance?
Digital Short

When is a photo an act of resistance?

For families that just decades earlier were torn apart by chattel slavery, being photographed together was proof of their resilience.

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Sign in with Email

or

Continue with GoogleContinue with FacebookContinue with Apple

By creating an account, you acknowledge that PBS may share your information with our member stations and our respective service providers, and that you have read and understand the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Are you sure you want to remove null from My List?