CREATIVE TEAM
Steve Sue – Producer/Director
Steve Sue is a Hawaiʻi filmmaker, producer, writer, director, social entrepreneur and designer whose work explores how ideas, culture and storytelling can help people and communities flourish.
He is the Executive Producer, Producer, Writer and Director of THE 100TH, Seeds of Aloha, his feature directorial debut, and Producer and Writer of the award-winning SHAKA, A Story of Aloha. Together, the films are part of an expanding series exploring the meaning and impact of the spirit of aloha.
Steve serves as Chair of ID8, a Hawaiʻi 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the producing organization behind THE 100TH. His work through ID8 also helped lead to the 2024 designation of the Shaka as the Official State Gesture of Hawaiʻi and the creation of Hawaiʻi’s Shaka license plate.
Born and raised in Oakland, California, Steve is of Chinese American descent and a descendant of immigrants who passed through Angel Island. He earned a BA in Design from UCLA and a JD from UC Berkeley before eventually making Hawaiʻi his home more than two decades ago.
A lifelong visual thinker, Steve spent much of his career turning complex ideas into engaging experiences—designing and developing entertainment attractions, live productions, corporate events, hospitality concepts, brands and technology. He is also the creator of SumoSum.com, an AI-powered visual strategy platform.
Today, he brings that multidisciplinary background to filmmaking, using history, music, design and human stories to explore a central question across his work: How can the spirit of aloha help us build a world in which people and communities flourish?
Alex Bocchieri – Co-producer/Cinematographer
Alex Bocchieri is an award-winning Native Hawaiian filmmaker and Co-Producer and Cinematographer of THE 100TH, Seeds of Aloha. Based in Honolulu, Alex is known for using his distinctive visual style to tell authentic human stories that spotlight people making a positive impact and inspire action. His work includes the documentary Ike: Knowledge is Everywhere and the Hawaiʻi-produced feature film Go for Broke, which screened at festivals around the world. In 2022, Alex was selected for Disney Launchpad, where he directed The Roof, a short film available on Disney+ and Apple TV.
Deborah Miller – Editor
Deborah Miller is the Editor of THE 100TH, Seeds of Aloha, helping shape the film’s historical material, interviews, and personal stories into a compelling and cohesive narrative. Working closely with the filmmaking team, Deborah brings sensitivity and thoughtful storytelling to the editing process, helping honor the experiences of Hawaiʻi’s Nisei soldiers while connecting their legacy of courage, sacrifice, and aloha with audiences today.
Harold Payne – Music Director
Harold Payne is the Music Director of THE 100TH, Seeds of Aloha, bringing his experience as a singer-songwriter and performer to the film’s musical storytelling. Through original music and live performances, Harold helps bring emotional depth to the film while reinforcing its themes of courage, connection, and the enduring spirit of aloha.
David Kopatz – Music Director
David Kopatz is a Music Director of THE 100TH, Seeds of Aloha, helping shape the film’s musical direction and emotional tone. Through his work with the creative team, David helps connect music with the film’s themes of courage, sacrifice, legacy, and the enduring spirit of aloha.
Karen Brizendine – Animator
Karen Brizendine is the Animator of THE 100TH, Seeds of Aloha, bringing history and storytelling to life through animation. Her work helps visually enrich the film’s historical narrative and create engaging moments that connect audiences with the people, experiences, and legacy at the heart of the story.