Page 2 - MidWeek Kauai - April 6, 2022

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To celebrate the film’s theater release, the cast and crew gathered together in Waikīkī. PHOTO COURTESY WATERMAN
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The wait is finally over — the Duke Kahanamoku documen- tary, titled Waterman, debuted in theaters April 1. Narrated by Ja- son Momoa, the film explores Ka- hanamoku’s life, and his impact on sports as a legendary swimmer and surfer.
The Olympic medalist shat- tered records and is considered the father of modern-day surf- ing. The original documentary by Sidewinder Films contains commentary from surfers like Kelly Slater, Carissa Moore and Kelia Moniz, along with interviews from numerous wa- termen and waterwomen.
in the ocean, we’ re all equal. The ocean doesn’t say you’re different.”
Brian Keaulana, whose fa- ther knew Kahanamoku, is one of the watermen featured in the film.
Being that Kahanamoku is such a celebrated figure in Polynesian heritage, Waterman serves as a personal project for director Isaac Halasima. His uncle, Jan Gordon Fisher, even sculpted the famous statue of Kahanamoku in Waikīkī.
“Being a waterman is really about the lifestyle,” Keaulana shares. “It’s really having a lot of knowledge and a lot of skills about the ocean — how to survive, how to play, how to work.”
“As a fellow Polyne- sian-American, I’ve always looked at Duke as a hero,” states Halasima. “Waterman is my chance to honor Duke Ka- hanamoku, a Native Hawaiian who was able to use the ancient teachings and philosophies of his culture to change the world going forward.”
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One of his favorite parts of the movie is when it revisits Kahanamoku helping to rescue numerous people from a sink- ing yacht off of Corona del Mar, California. Keaulana notes that helping others, even if it means putting yourself in harm’s way, is the mark of a true waterman, and that Kahanamoku was just that.
David Ulich, one of the pro- ducers, shares that while Wa- terman is an educational film about Kahanamoku, he hopes the documentary challenges people to live better lives.
Duke Kahanamoku’s Olympic debut took place in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1912. PHOTO COURTESY
T. DELAVEGA FAMILY COLLECTION
“This film is for the whole ‘ohana,” states Duane DeSoto, who plays Kahanamoku in the film. “It’s a wonderful opportu- nity to share Duke’s legacy of aloha with our keiki and ensure they understand their kuleana to perpetuate the same values that Duke stood for in and out of the water.”
“I think people are inspired because I think what he did transcends surfing,” Ulich says. “Obviously he was a great surf- er and he was a great swimmer, but there are a lot of great surf- ers and a lot of great swimmers. But they don’t really have the approach to life that he had.
In addition to his impact on sports and lifesaving, the film also discusses how Kah- anamoku combated prejudice while sharing his philosophy of inclusion.
“One of the big messages of the film is the spirit of aloha,” Ulich says. “I’ve been in situa- tions where somebody doesn’t treat me quite the way I should be treated. I catch myself just thinking ‘What would Duke do?’ and instead of being angry, I just take a breath and I try to turn the conversation around in a positive way.”
“The land doesn’t divide us, it’s the water that connects us,” Keaulana shares. “When we’re
Waterman can be viewed in theaters throughout the state. For more information, visit watermanthemovie.com.
Enrollment open now!