NEWS RELEASE

World premiere of Moananuiākea: One Ocean One People One Canoe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2018

WORLD PREMIERE OF MOANANUIĀKEA: ONE OCEAN ONE PEOPLE ONE CANOE

Global documentary celebrating Hōkūle‘a’s historic Mālama Honua Voyage to close Hawai‘i International Film Festival this Nov. 18 at the Hawai‘i Theatre

Honolulu – Moananuiākea , an ambitious documentary film telling the story of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage of legendary canoe Hōkūle‘a , premieres Nov. 18 at the historic Hawai‘i Theatre Center as part of the prestigious closing night for the Hawai‘i International Film Festival . The film is produced by Nā‘ālehu Anthony, Bryson Hoe and Maui Tauotaha, respectively director, writer and editor, all of whom served as crewmembers on Hōkūle‘a.

Moananuiākea: One Ocean One People One Canoe
Hawai‘i International Film Festival Closing Night
Nov. 18, 2018, 6:30 p.m.
Hawai‘i Theatre: 1130 Bethel Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Tickets and information at www.moananuiakea.film

“It is a humbling experience anytime we are allowed on the deck of Hōkūle‘a. The experience of sailing in far away oceans and visiting these ports around the globe as both a filmmaker and crewmember have changed my life,” said Nā‘ālehu Anthony, director of Moananuiākea . “I am honored to have been part of the team that documented the voyage and to help tell this chapter of Hōkūle‘a’s story.”

Presented by the Polynesian Voyaging Society and ‘Ōiwi Television Network, in association with Palikū Documentary Films, and in partnership with the voyage’s education sponsor Kamehameha Schools, Moananuiākea i s the next step in the long and exciting journey of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage.

The historic circumnavigation of the Hōkūle‘a and crewmembers from the Polynesian Voyaging Society truly engaged the earth, connecting with over 100,000 people in over 150 ports all over the world, and for the first time the profound experience will be brought to life on the silver screen.

“ Moananuiākea is a record of the 10 years of planning and work that went into the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and the tireless efforts of many people from our local community and across the globe including educators, businesses, government, conservation partners, the top watermen, cultural leaders from around the Pacific and voyagers from 11 different countries,” said Nainoa Thompson, president of PVS. “There were 500 crew members who sailed Hōkūle‘a around the world, but with every crew member there were hundreds more on land who made this voyage possible. With the release of this documentary, I want to personally thank everyone who believed in an idea and came together to make it successful. This film is dedicated to all of those thousands of people."

Moananuiākea illustrates the crucial role of indigenous voices and perspectives in both storytelling and in creating paradigm-changing solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. The film honors ‘ike Hawai‘i -- traditional wisdom of our island culture -- on a global stage. It extends the values of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and the Hōkūle‘a, a beacon of sustainability, unity and culture, beyond the voyaging community for perpetuation in the wider world.

“The most remarkable thing we’ve witnessed during the years of the worldwide voyage has been the spark of connection -- the exchange of mutual respect between cultures and the opportunities to learn so much from one another,” said Randie Fong, Kamehameha Schools’ executive culture officer and key advisor for the Worldwide Voyage. “Our hope is that this film inspires the same spark in audiences throughout the world, to deeply examine the ways we honor our ancestors and how we Mālama Honua -- care for our island earth.”

Moananuiākea plays a vital role in carrying the enduring legacy of the Mālama Honua Voyage into the future. The voyage’s groundbreaking conservation and preservation initiatives have already inspired countless new practices to protect our environment. The wildly successful revival of a traditional art that was nearly extinct has created a resurgence of pride and respect for native cultures and encourages the active rediscovery of forgotten cultural practices. The film does more than bring the audience to the sea, it shows them how our ancestors have always had the keys to a collectively bright future and how it is up to us to use them.

To purchase ticket for the highly-anticipated world premiere of Moananuiākea, please visit www.HIFF.org. For more information about the film including a schedule of pubic screenings, or to request a private screening, please visit www.moananuiakea.film.

About ‘Ōiwi TV
‘Ōiwi TV is a Native Hawaiian-owned and operated TV station and production company that aims to create meaningful impact through media by reestablishing authentic Hawaiian content grounded in the Hawaiian worldview. With a dedicated team of writers, documenters, producers and practitioners focused on the progression of Hawaiian culture through visual inspirations and the provision of knowledge, ‘Ōiwi TV seeks to make positive contributions to the Hawaiian language, culture, community, and Hawai‘i.

About Polynesian Voyaging Society

The Polynesian Voyaging Society was founded in 1973 on a legacy of Pacific Ocean exploration, seeking to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, one other, and their natural and cultural environments.

About Kamehameha Schools

Founded in 1887 by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the Kamehameha Schools (KS) is a private, educational, charitable Native Hawaiian trust committed to improving the capability and wellbeing of our people through education. Income generated from its endowment portfolio of Hawai‘i commercial real estate and other diverse investments funds more than 96 percent of KS’ educational mission.

Kamehameha Schools embarked in 2015 on a bold, exciting voyage that envisions, in one generation, a thriving Lāhui in which learners achieve postsecondary educational success, enabling good life and career choices. Grounded in Christian and Hawaiian values, learners will be leaders who contribute to their communities both locally and globally.

At the heart of this new journey are those who share this vision to ensure that all Native Hawaiians have the opportunity to succeed. Strong community collaborations, donor participation and key state, national and international partnerships are vital to creating the means to propel learners onto knowledge and career paths of their choice.

For more information, visit www.ksbe.edu.