Film chronicles the extraordinary legacy of Hōkūleʻa, Master Navigator Mau Piailug and Pwo Navigator Nainoa Thompson, exploring the power of ancestral knowledge, humanity’s connection to nature, and the responsibility of carrying ancient wisdom into the future

The Navigator, a new feature-length documentary presented by Patagonia Films, made its world premiere at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) to a sold-out audience on Wednesday, October 21, at the historic Hawaiʻi Theatre in downtown Honolulu. And on Sunday, November 1, The Navigator earned the Pacific Award for Best Feature, presented by HIFF and Pacific Islanders in Communications.

Directed by Jordan Manley, the film tells the extraordinary story of the revival of traditional non-instrument navigation through the reflections of Pwo navigator Nainoa Thompson, whose life has been dedicated to restoring and perpetuating the ancestral knowledge of wayfinding and deepening humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

In 1980, Thompson became the first Native Hawaiian in 600 years to navigate a voyaging canoe, Hōkūleʻa, from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti and back without a compass or modern instruments, guided only by the stars, ocean swells, winds, and other signs of nature. His historic achievement helped inspire a cultural renaissance and a new generation of navigators committed to carrying forward the wisdom of their ancestors.

Nearly 50 years after his historic voyage, Thompson embarks on what is likely his last time navigating the ancient sea road known as Kealaikahiki. This time, he does so alongside a younger generation of navigators, as they are guided by the stars, the natural world, and the teachings of his mentor and Hōkūleʻa’s first navigator, Master Navigator Mau Piailug of Satawal, Micronesia.

More than a journey across 2,400 miles of ocean to find an island, The Navigator is a story about preserving a way of knowing, seeing, and understanding the world, and ensuring that the wisdom entrusted to Thompson by Mau lives on through future generations.

Through breathtaking cinematography and intimate storytelling, The Navigator explores the profound relationship between humans and the natural world, revealing what becomes possible when we learn to observe more closely, listen more deeply, and recognize our responsibility to care for the Earth and one another.

The documentary arrives during a historic period for Hōkūleʻa and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, as the organization commemorates 50 years since Hōkūleʻa’s inaugural voyage to Tahiti in 1976. What began as an effort to demonstrate the extraordinary navigational achievements of Polynesian ancestors has grown into a global movement connecting communities through voyaging, education, cultural revitalization, and environmental stewardship.

The Navigator is directed by Jordan Manley and produced by Kathy Thompson and Laura Yale. Executive producers include Yvon Chouinard, Harrison Ford, Laurene Powell Jobs, Bremen Schmeltz, Alex Lowther, Alex Simon, and Michael Anders. Monika McClure serves as co-executive producer, with Will Cohen as co-producer. The film was edited by Manley along with Jay MacMillan. The film’s original score was composed by Matthew Robert Cooper, including a cello performance by world-renowned musician Yo-Yo Ma.

Film Review Quotes:

“…more like a gripping blockbuster adventure than a feature-length documentary…” – Brianna Randall, Forbes

“In my 60 years of going to the cinema, I have never quite seen images like the ones in this film.”- Steve Kopian, Unseen Films

“…an intimate, heartfelt testament to Thompson’s standing in Polynesian history..” – Simon Foster, Screen Space

Following its Hawaiʻi premiere, audiences will have several opportunities to experience The Navigator through upcoming screenings, including across Hawaiʻi, New York, and Canada in November.

Hawaiʻi Film Screenings

Oʻahu — Consolidated Theatres Kapolei
Tuesday, November 3 | 8:00 PM
890 Kamokila Blvd, Kapolei, HI 96707
→ STANDBY

Hawaiʻi Island — Kahilu Theater, Waimea
Saturday, November 7 | 7:30 PM
67-1186 Lindsey Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
→ Click Here For Tickets!

Molokaʻi — The Mango Theater, Kaunakakai
Sunday, November 8 | 7:00 PM
61 Ala Malama Ave, Kaunakakai, HI 96748
→ Click Here For Tickets!

Lānaʻi — Lanai Theater at Hale Keaka
Tuesday, November 10 | 5:00 PM
465 7th St, Lānaʻi City, HI 96763
→ Click Here For Tickets!

Hawaiʻi Island — Palace Theater, Hilo
Thursday, November 12 | 7:00 PM
38 Haili St, Hilo, HI 96720
→ Click Here For Tickets!

Maui — Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului
Saturday, November 14 | 6:00 PM
1 Cameron Way, Kahului, HI 96732
→ Click Here For Tickets!

General Hawaiʻi Tickets & Information:
https://boxoffice.hiff.org/events/thenavigator

Canada Film Screenings

Alberta — Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival
Sunday, November 8, 2026
107 Tunnel Mountain Dr, Banff, AB T1L 1H5, Canada

9:00 AM — Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff Centre
2:00 PM — Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff Centre
2:00 PM — Margaret Greenham Theatre, Banff Centre
→ Click Here For Tickets!

New York Film Screening

New York City — DOC NYC Film Festival
Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 6:30 PM
Village East by Angelika, New York City
181-189 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
→ Click Here For Tickets!