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On the Scene

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

By John Berger

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 21, 2008

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John Berger
“MORNING LIGHT” PREMIERES: Disney Pictures executive producers Leslie DeMeuse, left, and Roy E. Disney were joined by Morning Light crew member Mark Towill, his mother, Crystal Rose Towill, and his grandfather, Hawaiian music promoter Richard M. Towill, at the Hawaii premiere of “Morning Light” Thursday at Consolidated Ward 16 Theaters. Mark Towill is one of 15 young adults in the compelling film — part documentary, part reality show — about the challenges of the Transpac open-ocean sailing competition. A timeless story, eye-catching cinematography and hot contemporary soundtrack seem certain to stimulate interest in competitive sailing. The screening was a benefit for the Hawaii Sailing Foundation and the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
John Berger
Hawaii State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson, right, enjoyed the pre-show cocktail party with Carol Lee Arnold. Dawson noted in her formal remarks that since much of “Morning Light” was shot in Hawaii, it promotes the islands as a place to make movies and as a destination for visitors — as well as promoting the sport.
John Berger
Sport-sailing advocates Tom Pollack, left, and Robbie Haines spent most of the reception autographing movie posters and commemorative books. Pollack thought up the idea of assembling a team of teens and young adults with prior sailing experience and training them for the Transpac competition. Haines, a veteran of 13 Transpac races and a 1984 Olympic gold medalist in sailing, was the team manager.
John Berger
Nainoa Thompson, third from left, talked with Wayne German, left, Ian Towill and William Plourde before going into the screening. Thompson, representing the Polynesian Voyaging Society, told that crowd that “Roy (Disney) allowed young people to grow” by participating in the movie, and added, “Our voyaging canoes need to become ‘The Morning Light,’” inspiring future generations to perpetuate the traditions of Polynesian open-ocean sailing.
John Berger
The young sailors from three Oahu yacht clubs who served as volunteer staff for the party were Dylan Ale, left, Ailana Warren, Sean Dave, Laura Hughes, Rinchen Harrison, Travis Foster, Morgan Merrill, Brock Wooldridge, Monica Merrill and Fizz Foster. In the back are Lance Miller, with a two-fisted shaka, and Ian Towill, behind Monica.
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