Ben Ono, a North Shore-based photographer and filmmaker, recently stepped in front of the lens to master the ancient art of traditional Hawaiian voyaging alongside master navigator Austin Kino. This expedition, produced for Huckberry, pushes the limits of human endurance as part of the "Type 2 Fun" series, where modern technology like GPS and engines is discarded in favor of ancestral knowledge and raw skill. The journey begins with a survival trial in the "Channel of Bones" (Kaeiwi Channel), a stretch of coastline between Oahu and Molokai notorious for its history of treacherous shipwrecks. Kino, a trained way finder and firefighter, insists on a survival swim along the Eevee coastline to simulate the deep-sea surges that occur if a sailor goes overboard. This training emphasizes "closing the loop"—a protocol of constant communication—and the wisdom to "be like the honu" (turtle) by gliding with the ocean’s immense power rather than fighting it.
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Beyond the physical strain, the voyage honors a history spanning thousands of years through the work of master craftsmen like Kayon Kino. Over several hours, Kayon carves traditional Hawaiian paddles by hand, engineering them with precise geometry to sit flat against the hull. These paddles are the vessel’s only steering mechanism; as the canoe gains speed, the water pressure wedges the blade tight against the side, functioning as both a rudder and a keel. The craft itself, a sailing canoe named Uluhi, features a hull designed specifically for surfing and utilizes outriggers to stabilize the journey across the open water.
On the second day of the mission, the team rigs the sail and ventures beyond the reef, where the mechanics of ancient navigation become tactile. The sail naturally pulls the canoe into the wind, while the manual placement of the paddle dictates the direction of every turn. As they navigate around Diamond Head, the experience transforms from a purely physical challenge into a spiritual connection with the Polynesian explorers who traversed the Pacific for centuries. For Kino, the ultimate goal of these voyages is the preservation of Hawaiian culture, ensuring that the skills of hand-carving and non-technical sailing are passed down to the next generation. Ultimately, the journey proves that a true connection to the environment is found not in avoiding the unknown, but in finding a way to be comfortable and survive within it.
