Jordan Manley
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The Navigator
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HIFF / Hawai’i International Film Festival
After 6+ years in the making, last week we had the great honour to premier The Navigator to a sold out audience of 1400 Hawaiians in the historic Hawai’i Theatre in Honolulu. It was deeply humbling to be in the presence of this distinguished group of people. Many in attendance were from the Hawaiian voyaging community, who played invaluable roles in front and behind the camera for years, and who’s story we did our very best to honour. Some played pivotal roles in the 50 year history of Hōkūle’a and risked their lives to bring back the old ways. Some were family members of those who paid the ulimate price. There were several Pwo navigators who made the 3 week round trip journey from Satawal, Micronesia, to watch the film.
I extend many thanks to Patagonia and the Polynesian Voyaging Society for supporting not only this film over many years, but also this gathering. And also Jean Lee, Jordan Kandell and the whole team at HIFF. It was a moment for us to try to honour an incredible community who gave us their trust and allowed us to bear witness to the magic they have fought so hard and beautifully to restore.
Nainoa Thompson and I. Incredibly grateful for everything he has poured into the film (he did not ask for!)
Our queen, Kathy Thompson (producer). There’d be no film without her.
The Navigator film team L to R: Bremen Schmeltz, Alex Simon, Laura Yale, me, Kathy Thompson, Alex Lowther, Jay Macmillan, Will Cohen
Oct 2026
Colour
So many hands have touched this film [The Navigator], and put their spirit and devotion into it.
David Tomiak, one of the best colourists out there catering to indie film, brought care and
a wonderful attention to detail in order to bring out the most in each one of the 800+ shots
in the film.
Aug 2026
In The Mix
8 very long, intense days illuminated by candlelight and inspiration with the hyper-dilligent
re-recording mixer / sound designer Oscar Vargas, at his studio in Vancouver’s Railtown.
Grateful for his care and patience that he poured into The Navigator’s sound mix.
Spring 2026
Rocks & Hard Places
1 million editorial decisions
June 2025
Final Voyage, Kealaikahiki — 22 days from Hawai’i to Tahiti aboard Hōkūle’a
March 2025
Merlin & Red Tail
A feature film is a soaring undertaking. The months drift by and congeal into a blob of editing.
In January, I watched from the chair as a red tailed hawk hunted for days from the top branch
of the fir tree across the street. When the cold came she moved on. Merlin, her smaller cousin,
visited yesterday.
They come and go, like new ideas that drift into your mind — lucky if you happen to see them,
take note and grab ahold of them while they fly by. Gifts from the horizon, gifts from collaborators.
More ideas to test, new scenes to cut, minutes added to an expanding timeline.
July 2024
Foley folly
Typically “foley” (the re-creation of sounds for film) is done at the very end of the film process.
During the editing phase, though, I often want to use sound to initiate or ease a cut, or to bridge two separate moments into one.
That requires having the right sound in place to test if that cut will work or not. If the appropriate sound wasn’t captured in the field,
and I can’t find it in my sound effect library, then I do my best to make it myself, orthodoxy be damned!
Above, the shuffling of flip flops. Below, trying to recreate the sound of glasses being folded
and unfolded in the hands, as seen on screen.
June 2024
24°00'44"N 157°29'15"W
Continued work on “Hōkūle’a”, a feature length documentary that I have been making for the last 3.5 years.
A Red-footed Booby waking up at sunrise, having slept on board all night.
Spring 2024
Editing
Feb 2024
Visitors
A family of 4 cougars (mom and 3 young) have been in the neighbourhood lately. Captured by my trail cam.
Jan 2024
Quiet on 16th
Jan 2024
Arctic air
Dec 17 2023
Ambleside
The pine and the pitch & putt fence, West Vancouver.
Dec 15 2023
Birch Bay
Dec 5 2023
Editing, editing
Nov 2023
Spitz A3P
Craig McCaw, BCIT / Roundhouse Productions
Oct 2023
Goat mtn.
Sept 2023
Van isle.
May 2023
Port Hardy
June 2023
Wrangell
May 19 2023
Yakutat
March 28 2023
UW
Feb 25 2023
Honolulu
Nov 2022
Interview marathons
Kathy Thompson, producer. There’d be no film without her.
Nainoa Thompson at his home on O’ahu. In total we did about 25 interviews in his kitchen. (Bill Hawley photos)
May 27 2022
Max & Aku
May 27 2022
Merville