The documentary feature will be a study on life and life practice of renowned Hawaiian paddler, Nappy Napoleon. The storyline will be based on events of July 2008, when Napoleon with five paddling companions crossed 9 Hawaiian channels in 6 consecutive days, each in a one-person outrigger canoe. At age 67, Napoleon and his group became the very first people to ever attempt, let alone accomplish, this feat. By following Nappy on his trek, our script will explore the circumstances that enabled him to conclude such an amazing journey. Touching up on important events of Nappy’s life, his relationships, his engagement in the community and his beliefs, the story will unfold the amazing human qualities that Nappy represents.
In a time when our pop icons exhibit ambitious self-promotion, glitz and sex appeal, Uncle Nappy – as he is affectionately known – is a humble, quiet hero. Humorously self-effacing, he radiates an inner calm, patience, and infectious confidence. He has an extraordinary bond with the nature and a magical relationship with the ocean. Tellingly, Nappy’s aumakua, the shark, appeared on the first day of the paddling trek, which the Hawaiians of old would interpret as the ocean’s approval of Nappy’s impending journey. His rock-hard work ethic and quiet resolve served as the motivator during the channel crossing for all the other, younger paddlers with him.
Heroes are inspiring individuals that serve as role models. Rising above their own negative traits or weaknesses and overcoming personal challenges, they demonstrate the need for individuals to be resilient and to respond proactively to challenging circumstances; furthermore, their actions can help develop positive character traits in others. The importance of a hero should not be limited to children’s stories. We all need heroes.
Heroes are in short supply. Heroes filled with humility are so rare that their mere existence is a cause to celebrate. They affirm our humanity and our human dignity. Nappy provides a modern day example of an ancient Hawaiian paradigm: superb ocean judgment, wisdom about the hearts of others, total commitment to his life-calling, and an unparalleled decency of character. Albert Schweitzer said that “example is not the most important thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.”
The outrigger canoe was essential to the survival of the inhabitants of the islands. Today the art of outrigger canoe paddling is mostly practiced as a competitive sport with international recognition. As an increasingly popular activity, its roots in the Hawaiian tradition are important issue to research and propagate. Indeed, the Hawaiians of old were fierce competitors. In keeping with another aspect of Hawaiian culture and philosophy, Nappy’s 9-channel journey with 5 younger paddlers and a large support group of friends, family members and admirers, had nothing to do with competition, and everything to do with traditional values of ohana and mutual kokua.
Nappy Napoleon is a master in the outrigger world. His story is one that all Hawaiians must know. The rest of the world should know it as well. The true value of a master to a society is not only that he can perfectly execute the skills that he learned from those before him, but more importantly that he can teach these skills, the underlying philosophy, the ideals to his students, thus perpetuating his culture. The documentary will show how Nappy continues to pass on the practical skills, history and ethics of the outrigger canoe paddling. What he learned from his kupuna, he now practices with passion and passes on to all who wish to learn.
The future of outrigger canoeing is unknown. We need people like Nappy to keep the inheritance from the past alive in the present. Some would call him a legend. But unlike heroes of the yesteryear, Uncle Nappy is still here with us, which makes him more like Japan’s Living Treasures. Our script will seek to recognize his ongoing gift to today’s culture from the richness of Hawaii’s sea- faring past.
“I Just Love to Paddle” is a story of a man who lives, loves, practices, teaches and perpetuates an ancient tradition in the contemporary world.
The storyline will be based on the crossing of the 9 channels. It will explore the nature of each channel and its unique and meaningful Hawaiian name. Each channel will be dedicated to a different value represented by the protagonist.
Before setting out on the 9-channel trek, Nappy’s crew asked for insight into the traditional meanings of the channels’ names from Kumu Hula Kehaulani Kekua. Her research yielded the following abbreviated explanation of the meanings:
Alenuihāhā Channel – “Of very large, trough-like waves”
Alalākeiki Channel – “Screaming or crying child”
Kealaikahiki Channel – “The pathway to Kahiki (Tahiti)”
Auau Channel – “Current, to flow or move hastily in succession”
Pailolo Channel – “To urge or rouse expertise and skill”
Kalohi Channel – “One who detains and delays”
Kaiwi Channel – “The bones” or the “Long surf line”
Ka`ie`ie Channel – “The `ie`ie vine”
Ka`ulakahi – “The red place”
The kumu also provided lengthier explanations, delving into the etymology of each channels name. For example, the name of the Pailolo Channel means to stir up, encourage and raise skill and expertise, when the following considerations are accounted for:
Pai means to urge, encourage, rouse, stir up, excite. It can mean to raise, lift up, increase or to laud, praise, exalt.
The meaning of the word, lolo (without any diacritical markings or emphasis in the pronunciation of the vowels) is “brain.” It is the place from which all intellectual knowledge is processed and disseminated.
In the specialized guild of canoe builders, the Kahuna Kalaiwa`a is the priestly expert and master of not only canoe building; but sailing and navigation as well. This native Hawaiian discipline was connected to the sacred ceremony and rite of passage known as `Ailolo Ceremony, which recognized the completion of a practitioner’s experience of being groomed from student to apprentice to specialist and expert. Literally defined as, “brain eating” or more specifically,” to consume and digest intelligence and knowledge,” the `Ailolo Ceremony marked the end of a practitioner’s training. Rites of passage included the eating of different parts of the pua`a hiwa or sacred black pig which symbolized and represented the ideal qualities of a learned and trained expert.
It is the mana`o or extended opinion of Kumu Hula Kehaulani Keku, that the name of the Pailolo Channel was given in antiquity to remind each successive generation of seafarers that the approach, entry and interaction with this portion of ocean was to be done humbly and with great skill.
With research of this quality undergirding our script, we will look at the Pailolo Channel, for example, as representing Uncle Nappy’s character trait of approaching the ocean humbly and with great skill, thereby urging and encouraging others to raise up to do likewise. While treatment of the channel name’s meaning and associated character trait will remain light in the script, it will hold the integrity of superb cultural research.
In a similar manner, each of the 9 of the nine channels will mark another character trait and human value. Values to be covered may include striving for excellence, commitment to community, cultivation of ancient traditions, bonding with nature, passing on one’s learning, long-term commitment one’s calling in life (for example, Nappy, 50 consecutive years of competin
The documentary feature will be a study on life and life practice of renowned Hawaiian paddler, Nappy Napoleon. The storyline will be based on events of July 2008, when Napoleon with five paddling companions crossed 9 Hawaiian channels in 6 consecutive days, each in a one-person outrigger canoe. At age 67, Napoleon and his group became the very first people to ever attempt, let alone accomplish, this feat. By following Nappy on his trek, our script will explore the circumstances that enabled him to conclude such an amazing journey. Touching up on important events of Nappy’s life, his relationships, his engagement in the community and his beliefs, the story will unfold the amazing human qualities that Nappy represents.
In a time when our pop icons exhibit ambitious self-promotion, glitz and sex appeal, Uncle Nappy – as he is affectionately known – is a humble, quiet hero. Humorously self-effacing, he radiates an inner calm, patience, and infectious confidence. He has an extraordinary bond with the nature and a magical relationship with the ocean. Tellingly, Nappy’s aumakua, the shark, appeared on the first day of the paddling trek, which the Hawaiians of old would interpret as the ocean’s approval of Nappy’s impending journey. His rock-hard work ethic and quiet resolve served as the motivator during the channel crossing for all the other, younger paddlers with him.
Heroes are inspiring individuals that serve as role models. Rising above their own negative traits or weaknesses and overcoming personal challenges, they demonstrate the need for individuals to be resilient and to respond proactively to challenging circumstances; furthermore, their actions can help develop positive character traits in others. The importance of a hero should not be limited to children’s stories. We all need heroes.
Heroes are in short supply. Heroes filled with humility are so rare that their mere existence is a cause to celebrate. They affirm our humanity and our human dignity. Nappy provides a modern day example of an ancient Hawaiian paradigm: superb ocean judgment, wisdom about the hearts of others, total commitment to his life-calling, and an unparalleled decency of character. Albert Schweitzer said that “example is not the most important thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.”
The outrigger canoe was essential to the survival of the inhabitants of the islands. Today the art of outrigger canoe paddling is mostly practiced as a competitive sport with international recognition. As an increasingly popular activity, its roots in the Hawaiian tradition are important issue to research and propagate. Indeed, the Hawaiians of old were fierce competitors. In keeping with another aspect of Hawaiian culture and philosophy, Nappy’s 9-channel journey with 5 younger paddlers and a large support group of friends, family members and admirers, had nothing to do with competition, and everything to do with traditional values of ohana and mutual kokua.
Nappy Napoleon is a master in the outrigger world. His story is one that all Hawaiians must know. The rest of the world should know it as well. The true value of a master to a society is not only that he can perfectly execute the skills that he learned from those before him, but more importantly that he can teach these skills, the underlying philosophy, the ideals to his students, thus perpetuating his culture. The documentary will show how Nappy continues to pass on the practical skills, history and ethics of the outrigger canoe paddling. What he learned from his kupuna, he now practices with passion and passes on to all who wish to learn.
The future of outrigger canoeing is unknown. We need people like Nappy to keep the inheritance from the past alive in the present. Some would call him a legend. But unlike heroes of the yesteryear, Uncle Nappy is still here with us, which makes him more like Japan’s Living Treasures. Our script will seek to recognize his ongoing gift to today’s culture from the richness of Hawaii’s sea- faring past.
“I Just Love to Paddle” is a story of a man who lives, loves, practices, teaches and perpetuates an ancient tradition in the contemporary world.
The storyline will be based on the crossing of the 9 channels. It will explore the nature of each channel and its unique and meaningful Hawaiian name. Each channel will be dedicated to a different value represented by the protagonist.
Before setting out on the 9-channel trek, Nappy’s crew asked for insight into the traditional meanings of the channels’ names from Kumu Hula Kehaulani Kekua. Her research yielded the following abbreviated explanation of the meanings:
Alenuihāhā Channel – “Of very large, trough-like waves”
Alalākeiki Channel – “Screaming or crying child”
Kealaikahiki Channel – “The pathway to Kahiki (Tahiti)”
Auau Channel – “Current, to flow or move hastily in succession”
Pailolo Channel – “To urge or rouse expertise and skill”
Kalohi Channel – “One who detains and delays”
Kaiwi Channel – “The bones” or the “Long surf line”
Ka`ie`ie Channel – “The `ie`ie vine”
Ka`ulakahi – “The red place”
The kumu also provided lengthier explanations, delving into the etymology of each channels name. For example, the name of the Pailolo Channel means to stir up, encourage and raise skill and expertise, when the following considerations are accounted for:
Pai means to urge, encourage, rouse, stir up, excite. It can mean to raise, lift up, increase or to laud, praise, exalt.
The meaning of the word, lolo (without any diacritical markings or emphasis in the pronunciation of the vowels) is “brain.” It is the place from which all intellectual knowledge is processed and disseminated.
In the specialized guild of canoe builders, the Kahuna Kalaiwa`a is the priestly expert and master of not only canoe building; but sailing and navigation as well. This native Hawaiian discipline was connected to the sacred ceremony and rite of passage known as `Ailolo Ceremony, which recognized the completion of a practitioner’s experience of being groomed from student to apprentice to specialist and expert. Literally defined as, “brain eating” or more specifically,” to consume and digest intelligence and knowledge,” the `Ailolo Ceremony marked the end of a practitioner’s training. Rites of passage included the eating of different parts of the pua`a hiwa or sacred black pig which symbolized and represented the ideal qualities of a learned and trained expert.
It is the mana`o or extended opinion of Kumu Hula Kehaulani Keku, that the name of the Pailolo Channel was given in antiquity to remind each successive generation of seafarers that the approach, entry and interaction with this portion of ocean was to be done humbly and with great skill.
With research of this quality undergirding our script, we will look at the Pailolo Channel, for example, as representing Uncle Nappy’s character trait of approaching the ocean humbly and with great skill, thereby urging and encouraging others to raise up to do likewise. While treatment of the channel name’s meaning and associated character trait will remain light in the script, it will hold the integrity of superb cultural research.
In a similar manner, each of the 9 of the nine channels will mark another character trait and human value. Values to be covered may include striving for excellence, commitment to community, cultivation of ancient traditions, bonding with nature, passing on one’s learning, long-term commitment one’s calling in life (for example, Nappy, 50 consecutive years of competing in the Molokai Hoe.)
Nappy dedicated each channel to a different person of importance in his life. The role of these people may be explored in the story as time and relevance dictate.
Anuenue Canoe Club was founded in 1983 in the shadow of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Rainbow Tower next to the old Heliport. It is a low profile small canoe club, which reflects the lifestyle and philosophy of Coach and founder Nappy Napoleon. The club’s approach to paddling balances a strong competitive drive with a laid back, humble and friendly approach.
We believe that the documentary feature we propose is likely to attract vast and varied audiences. It will naturally be very interesting for all the paddlers for its sport content. It will definitely attract anybody who is attracted to the heroic, to extreme activities and great deeds, for the crossing the entire island chain is obviously grand and impressive. The feature will be an inspiration for all the seniors (wow, Nappy is still going strong at 67) and all the youth (wow, we can do that too!). Also for it’s Hawaiian content it will be interesting to all islanders as well as all non-islanders serving the latter as a tool to learn about Hawaii. Anticipating such a vast audience, we would like to concentrate on the groups that could most benefit from it.
Nappy dedicated each channel to a different person of importance in his life. The role of these people may be explored in the story as time and relevance dictate.
Anuenue Canoe Club was founded in 1983 in the shadow of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Rainbow Tower next to the old Heliport. It is a low profile small canoe club, which reflects the lifestyle and philosophy of Coach and founder Nappy Napoleon. The club’s approach to paddling balances a strong competitive drive with a laid back, humble and friendly approach
We believe that the documentary feature we propose is likely to attract vast and varied audiences. It will naturally be very interesting for all the paddlers for its sport content. It will definitely attract anybody who is attracted to the heroic, to extreme activities and great deeds, for the crossing the entire island chain is obviously grand and impressive. The feature will be an inspiration for all the seniors (wow, Nappy is still going strong at 67) and all the youth (wow, we can do that too!). Also for it’s Hawaiian content it will be interesting to all islanders as well as all non-islanders serving the latter as a tool to learn about Hawaii. Anticipating such a vast audience, we would like to concentrate on the groups that could most benefit from it.