Aloha mai kakou, Chris here,

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank each and every one of you who attended the grand premiere of my film 'A'ā. To pour so much time and soul into a project like this is little to the mana of it being accepted by our community. Mahalo for honoring my crew, as they are the stars I look to. Mahalo to the donated work from Patagonia Honolulu, Waiahole Poi Factory, Kanehunamoku Voyaging Academy, Jonny Jewells screen printing, Sustainable Coastlines and all the individual helping hands. Let's continue to keep these business alive and well.

I don't have much more to say than, Mahalo!

Here are some thoughtful words of reflection from friends and participants of the event.

Me ke aloha,

Pictures by our dear friend, Noel Kenny

‘A‘ā

Something about that night is still with me. The energy, the depth and excitement, the way the room held its breath together and exhaled at the same time—it felt like more than a premiere. It felt like a moment we all will hold close for many years to come.

Watching people I love—my husband, our friends—on that screen gave me such a deep sense of pride and joy. It was raw and beautiful, full of life and meaning. I smiled, cried, and laughed as each scene so perfectly captured the adventure of a lifetime.

The weight of the narrative is so deeply rooted in culture and shaped by the generations that came before us. I was reminded of why stories like this matter most. Why holding onto culture, and moving it forward, is everything.

I left the night full of gratitude and quiet awe and I can’t wait for more people to be impacted in the same way.

Maya Alapaʻi

Impressions of a premiere,

Kapena Kiko Johnston Kitazawa

The people: The crew of Nāhōkūho‘okelewa‘a are exemplary human beings, a credit to their ‘ohana, lahui and ka honua. In the short time I’ve known them, they have grown into first rate mariners as well.

The Venue: I had only been to Patagonia Hale’iwa one over decades ago and liked it very much. The Kaka’ako facility is amazing, a good feelings and very welcoming staff. Their energetic preparation for the event was most capable, yet even though I was a few hours early onto O‘ahu from Hawai’i, they ensconced me in a comfortable corner with a good book and a phone charger, Mahalo.

The food: Delicious and nutritious!

The ceremony: A concise summation of the important values to be presented; an expression of appreciation to all who supported.

The films: Both the animated short and the full length were outstanding and deserve academy awards. Hana Pua animation so expressed the motions on the death of a parent and the continuity of the life of the offspring. It could be shown to good effort in hospices, bereavement programs, and counselor education courses. The ‘A‘ā documentary really conveyed the feeling of ‘we small humans’, and the vastness of sea and sky. The narration articulated deep philosophical concepts in Hawaiian-English creole (aka ‘pidgin’) which this reviewer and perhaps half the attendees would have no difficulty following. The inclusion of subtitles in English reached the perhaps 1/3rd (a guess) of the audience. The ‘Olelo Hawai‘i subtitles were a great learning opportunity to read along fast while understanding the narrators thoughts and learning how this would be a expressed in Hawaiian. - This film aside from the inherent value of it’s story, would be useful in language schools as well.

The friends and family: Having met Chris Miyashiro’s parents and tutu previously, it was a delight to see them again and meet more relatives and friends. It is clear to see the strong source of love and support that formed Chris. Also the way it has developed his unique individuality. Similarly his large circle of friends drawn to him, are a testament to his good character and nature. Ke’ili is the best partner, Kalani the best ship mate. You are all fortunate in your friendships.

Aloha,

Kapena Kiko

‘A‘ā

I have known Chris for at least 15 years. I have watched him grow from a heavily stoked skate/surf grom into the revolutionary soul he is in the process of becoming. I am very happy I resisted my home body tendencies and made my way to his epic movie premier. What an event it was. The vibe was high and every single person there was filled with openhearted Aloha. Somehow, as the film was starting, I happened to be awkwardly coming out of the restroom which was right in the front by the screen, and I noticed an empty front row seat next to Chris and Ke‘ili. Sitting next to those two, feeling their mana, and smelling the fresh lei upon them definitely immersed me even more deeply into the experience.

I’ve followed Chris’ evolution as an adventurer and a film maker, so I had some ideas in mind of what to expect from this one. Nope. I wasn’t prepared at all for what these youngsters had put together. The humility they maintained while describing this next level courageous and unlikely adventure had me fully engaged and on the edge of my seat. There was no sense of boasting or “look at what we did’ vibes, but a humble sharing the experience: the joy, reverence, faith, friendship and camaraderie. I can genuinely say for much of the film my heart felt like it was exploding in my chest as I was overwhelmed with emotion. It brings me great joy to see these young people doing things their own way and following an all to rare timeless path of adventure and discovery in the crazy modern world we are all trying to navigate these days. Mahalo, Ethnomads, for sharing your souls with us.

Mark Ferri

‘A‘ā

What a night! I had the honor of attending the premiere of Chris’s third film last night, and I left overflowing with emotion. I had a full-on chicken-skin moment—and yes, I cried too.

The message of the film resonated deeply with me. Having recently lost my mother and finding myself in a strange, in-between chapter of life, ‘A‘a felt like more than just a voyage shared by three friends. It was a journey of self-discovery, a powerful reminder that we’re all connected—and that, ultimately, we belong to the sea.

This is a must-see film.

Mowgli, I love your work. Please keep staying curious and keep telling your story.

Dewey Doan

‘A‘ā

This film was a beautiful example of authenticity — brave and fearless in the way it told its story. It explored the concept of loss with such tenderness and depth that it left me feeling deeply touched and strangely comforted. Somehow, it made me feel less alone in my own experiences, offering a profound perspective on love and grief while managing to sprinkle in just the right amount of humor.

What stood out most was how it captured the essence of truly living — embracing life fully without letting fear, especially the fear of loss, hold you back. It was a moving reminder that to live authentically means accepting both the joy and the pain that come with it.

Visually, the film was stunning. Every frame added to the emotional weight of the story. It wasn’t just the narrative that moved me — the cinematography, the colors, the way moments were framed — all of it contributed to a perfect depiction of life in its rawest, most beautiful form. Through storytelling, emotion, and visuals, it painted a full picture of what it means to be human.

Christina Martins

‘A‘ā

I had the privilege of watching Chris work on this film as his roommate and I was blown away by his dedication and creativity. I came out of my room late one night and saw Chris flat on the ground tinkering with a projector and tiny boats he made out of biscuit joints, leaves, and toothpicks to make a shot for his movie. Who thinks of that? Chris poured his heart and soul into the movie and it came out a gem, just like its creator.

Henry Lucas

‘A‘ā

This film is an awakening that the ways of the old are being honored and not forgotten in the past. It heals the naʻau with understanding that there is passionate people that are still connected to the traditional ways using esoteric knowledge. The three sailors are our future leaders and it’s inspiring to me knowing that they are amongst us. It’s a reminder to always keep room in our heart for the desire to explore. Da mana is real !

Nolan Caballero