Papa Mau: The Wayfinder
In 1976, Hawaiians sailed the traditional voyaging canoe Hokule‘a from Hawai‘i to Tahiti and proved to the world that their ancestors had explored the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean by navigating with the stars.
- Filmmaker(s)
- Naʻalehu Anthony
- Category
- Full-Length Film
- Currently On-Air
- Subject Matter
- History, Culture
- Featured In
- 25 in 25
In 1976, Hawaiians sailed the traditional voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a from Hawai‘i to Tahiti and proved to the world that their ancestors had explored the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean by navigating with the stars. Papa Mau: The Wayfinder is the story of critical role that master navigator Mau Piailug played in that voyage, and the rebirth of Polynesian unity and pride that followed. The Hōkūle‘a was built by members of the newly formed Polynesian Voyaging Society, who dreamed of sailing in the way of their ancestors. Shortly thereafter, a search began for someone who could teach them the art of non-instrument navigation, which had been all but lost until they met Micronesian-born Mau, who agreed to share his knowledge. Follow the remarkable journey of an iconic voyaging canoe and a new generation of Hawaiian navigators who, under the guidance of Papa Mau, revitalized and reclaimed Polynesia’s voyaging tradition.
Available until May 2016 through American Public Television
Nāʻālehu Anthony, Producer/Director
His passion for giving Native Hawaiians the means to share their unique stories with the world led Nā‘ālehu Anthony to a career in film and television. Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Anthony has been immersed in the Hawaiian community his entire life. He built a solid career in the film industry before founding his own production company, Palikū Documentary Films, which develops documentaries and oral histories primarily for and about Hawai‘i and its people. Aside from filmmaking, Anthony’s other great passion is Hawaiian voyaging. A long time crewmember and more recently, a captain, aboard Hōkūle‘a (the renowned double-hulled voyaging canoe navigated using non-instrument techniques from ancient Polynesia), his voyaging experiences have shaped and defined Anthony’s life and been a focal point of his films.Honors/Accolades
• Official Selection of 2011 Guam International Film Festival
• Official Selection of 2010 Hawai‘i International Film FestivalPacific Islanders in Communications & PBS Hawaii present Pacific Heartbeat: Episode 5
