MUST-SEE: "Boycott," 9 p.m., HBO: It all started in 1955 with plans for a one-day boycott. In Montgomery, Ala., black protesters didn’t expect to end segregated bus rides, they just thought they could make them more civil. Instead, the boycott stretched on for more than a year. A young pastor named Martin Luther King Jr. became a national hero and the old ways crumbled. Here is a wonderfully human portrait of the boycotters, flaws and all. In particular, Jeffrey Wright ("Shaft") brings King to life. During some of the early scenes, director Clark Johnson’s stylized approach is tough to follow. By the end it is richly moving.

"Sam Choy’s Kitchen: On the Road to Napa Valley," 6:30 p.m., KFVE-Channel 5: In

this half-hour edition of the popular Island chef show, Choy discusses cooking with different wines, as well as pairing wines with food,

and meets up with chef Michael Chipchase in Napa Valley. (6:30 p.m. Sunday edition focuses on Island-born chef Peter Pahk of

Silverado Country Club and Resort in Napa.)

"Phenomenon" (1996), 7-10 p.m., ABC KITV-Channel 4 (6 on Oceanic): John Travolta plays a decent bloke who suddenly gets

immense mental powers. There’s also a romance with Kyra Sedgwick and a portrait of small-town life. The result is contrived, but it’s engaging.

"Hokule‘a - Guiding Star," 8 p.m., KHET-Channel 11 (10 on Oceanic): Hour-long documentary tracks last year’s 6,000-mile journey from Hawai‘i to Rapa Nui, and celebrates the 25th anniversary of the voyaging canoe and the revival of non-instrument navigation in the Islands.

"Kate Brasher," 8 p.m., CBS KGMB-Channel 9 (7 on Oceanic). In a year when "Erin Brockovich" heads toward the Oscars, CBS comes up with its variation of the same theme. Here we have another single mom as a heroine. Barely able to pay the bills, Kate Brasher’s suddenly fighting for people with bigger troubles. Played by the terrific Mary Stuart Masterson, the series begins with Brasher working as a waitress and cleaning woman in order to support her two teen sons. A tryout series that’s worth keeping0. "Walker, Texas Ranger" will return this spring, but first let’s catch a promising show.

"The District," 9 p.m., CBS KGMB-Channel 9 (7 on Oceanic):

In recent weeks, Mannion (Craig T. Nelson) has been in a funk because his ex-wife (Jean Smart) was getting married. Now she’s back with big news: Mannion is back in the game.

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