Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2014 — The conscientious observer [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The conscientious observer

Thnoughout his eaneen, Sam Low has documented the feats of othens. This summen, the humhle authon, filmmaken and photognaphen was necognized for his own efforts.

By Tiffany Hill Sam Low has always felt the mana of the sea. Thedistinguished and permanently bearded Low was born and raised an hour from the New England coast. After graduating from Yale University in 1964, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on an aircraft carrier during the VietnamWar. He then studied nautical archaeology, remembering the day he spent in the Yale library poring over the pages of Tlie Canoes of Oeeania, a book about

the voyaging vessels of Polynesia, Fiji and Micronesia. "It captured my imagination," says Low, from his home in Massachusetts. "It was obvious to me that our ancestors did not sail aimlessly on rafts." It was this sentiment, and the oceans themselves that shaped his career, awakened his cultural identity and ultimately, gave him national recognition. Five thousand miles away in Hawai'i, around the time Low was reading Tlie Canoes of Oeeania, a group of like-minded people, envisioned setting sail. They would later heeome part of Low's 'ohana, and after 10 years of research, form the basis of his multi-award winning masterpiece. Today, many in Hawai'i are familiar with this work, Hawaiki Rising: Hōkūle'a, Nainoa Thompson anel the Hawaiian Renaissance. The book, now in its third printing, weaves the story of Hōkūle'a and its inaugural crew, including Nainoa Thompson, Mau Piailug and Sam Ka'ai, as they transcended barriers during a time when Polynesian sailing methods were questioned and the Native Hawaiian

culture faced extinction. Between meticulous research, typing his notes or editing his films, Low's passion emerged. But he viewed his work simply as his kuleana. "It isn't just a job. It's what I do as a documenter." Previous to Hawaiki Rising, Low wrote, directed and produced The Navigators, a one-hour documentary recreating the exploration and settlement of Polynesia. This August,

his seafaring work took him back to his New England roots, where Low was awarded the prestigious Walter Cronkite Award on Martha's Vineyard, an island south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Low is the first Native Hawaiian to receive the award, named for the late CBS news anchor, and presented by grandson Walter Cronkite IV. The award and the recognition were humbling, he says, pausing. "I saw it as (another)

opportunity to fulfill my role. For us who consider ourselves documenters of any kind, it was a rich experience." Low was honored alongside renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle, who was featured in the documentary Mission Blue, now on Netflix. The two were described as "champions of the oceans." The son of a Caucasian woman from Connecticut and a Native Hawaiian paniolo from Hawai'i Island, Low proudly identifies as a Native Hawaiian. He first eame to Hawai'i in 1964, at the age of 22, where he met his Hawai'i family and sat at the knee of kūpuna. "I wanted to tell the stories of my people, of the eanoe," he says. The fact that he grew up in a creative home - both his parents were artists - further ignited Low's calling. "I learned you must have passion. Whatever you do becomes a part of you." For eaeh copy of Hawaiki Rising the author sells on his personal website, Low inscribes and mails himself. "It's a zen-like moment for me," he says. Thanks to Mālama Honua, the three-year, worldwide voyage of Hōkūle'a and her sister eanoe, Hikianalia, his film and book are gaining a wider intemational audience. Low has upcoming book readings and film showings scheduled months out, including at Hawai'i Island's Waimea Oeean FilmFestival in January. He's also publishing an e-reader version of Hawaiki Rising this fall. Hawai'i Island is his favorite; he tries to visit Hawai'i every year. In his spare time, Low recently began painting, following in the footsteps of his creative parents. And he still sails as mueh as possible. "I've grown to realize voyaging is a metaphor for understanding your role in the world," he says. "Voyaging contains many universal values; you have to have a vision, a plan and train and prepare for success. You need aloha." ■

Tijfany Hill is a freelance writer based in Honolulu. She writes locallyfor Hawaii Business, Hawai'i magazine, Hana Hou! magazine and the Hawaiian news website, akeakamaihawaii.com.

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At left, Low is the first Native Hawaiian to earn a Walter Cronkite Award, honoring those using the power of the media to build an educated and sustainable world. - Courtesy: Stone Soup teadership lnstitute

Sam Low, left, and Nainoa Thompson shared the stage at the 201 3 Hawai'i Book and Music Festival. - Courtesy: JanetL. Clark

Sam Low, back left, posed for a photo with fellow awardee Sylvia Earle, fourth from left, past awardees Bob Nixon, third from left, and Shavanae Anderson, fourth from right, Stone Soup Leadership lnstitute executive director Marianne Larned, fifth from right, and Martha's Vineyard Youth Leadership lnstitute delegates aboard Cronkite's beloved sailboat Wyntje, moored off shore from the awards ceremony at the late newsman's former home. - Courtesy: Stone Soup Leadership lnstitute