Traditional Hawaiian watercraft begins it’s Pacific circumnavigation in Yakutat, Alaska.
PHOTOGRAPHY | POST PRODUCTION
As surfers who embrace the challenge of thick wetsuits, boots, and gloves, Yakutat, Alaska holds a special place in our hearts. When the Heen Foundation reached out to us to document the arrival of a traditional Hawaiian sailing vessel in their small coastal village, we were thrilled.
We captured the vessel’s landing and the traditional Tlingit welcome extended to the Hawaiian sailors. We also had the opportunity to board the remarkable vessel, explore the Hubbard Glacier with the crew during their cultural exchange, and, of course, go surfing with them!
Experiences like these deepen our appreciation for the remarkable skills of both Hawaiian and Tlingit watermen. Learning about the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s connection to the late Byron Mallott, a Yakutat local and former Lt. Governor of Alaska, was both enlightening and touching. The series of images we created on this trip were inspired by the Pacific Ocean’s vast connectedness, its dynamic nature, and its rich cultural significance.
