Hokuleʻa - Guiding Star
Guiding-Star takes viewers on board the canoe to reveal little-known aspects of the life of the voyagers as they travel to the farthest south east corner of the Polynesian triangle Rapa Nui.
- Filmmaker(s)
- Lurline Wailana McGregor
- Naʻalehu Anthony
- Leah Kihara
- Category
- Full-Length Film
- Subject Matter
- Culture, History, Travel
- Featured In
- 25 in 25
After 25 years of traversing the Pacific, Hokuleʻa serves as a training vessel to young crew members who for the first time are serving as apprentice navigators.
This program takes a fascinating look at the preparation for the journey and the voyage itself. Guiding Star exlplores crew selection, challenges by nature which all leads to the dramatic discover of Rapa Nui. It also provides a glimpse into the larger educational mission and the celebration of the inter-generational transmission of centuries old traditions.
The story of the journey is intertwined with the personal stories of Nainoa Thompson, apprentice navigator Shantell Ching, veteran crew member Snake Ah Nee and novice crew members Naʻalehu Anthony and Kaʻiulani Murphy.
LEAH KIHARA - Director
Filmmaker Leah Kihara was selected to receive support for her independent production I scream, floats and Sundays by the Short Film Initiative of Pacific Islanders in Communications. In 2002, the film won the Hawaiʻi Film and Video Maker Award at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. Leah, who heads Punk Productions, has worked on several series for public television.
She has worked in film production throughout the Pacific Rim, in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Tahiti, Rapa Nui and the United States. Leah has a degree in film from the University of Southern California.
