The Navigator
“Now we sail in the wake of our ancestors to find ourselves.”
Synopsis
In 1980, Nainoa Thompson became the first Native Hawaiian in six centuries to navigate a voyaging canoe from Hawaii to Tahiti without a compass or modern instruments. Nearly 50 years later, he embarks on the demanding open-ocean crossing one final time. He and a small crew of student navigators rely solely on the stars, nature's clues and lessons from the late master navigator Mau Piailug to guide them. As they sail 2,400 miles along the same sea road as their ancestors, they bear the responsibility of keeping this ancient knowledge alive. Naina sails not only to find an island but to search for something unseen. The Navigator reveals what is possible when we closely observe and deeply connect with the natural world.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jordan Manley
- Original Score
- Matthew Robert Cooper
- Original Title
- The Navigator
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Production Studios
- Patagonia Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jordan Manley
Matthew Robert Cooper
Jordan Manley, Jay Macmillan
Kathy Thompson, Laura Yale, Yvon Chouinard, Harrison Ford, Laurene Powell Jobs
Department Leadership Roster
Jordan Manley
Director
Kathy Thompson
Producer
Laura Yale
Producer
Jordan Manley
Editor
Jay Macmillan
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Navigator.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Navigator
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Navigator about?
In 1980, Nainoa Thompson became the first Native Hawaiian in six centuries to navigate a voyaging canoe from Hawaii to Tahiti without a compass or modern instruments. Nearly 50 years later, he embarks on the demanding open-ocean crossing one final time. He and a small crew of student navigators rely solely on the stars, nature's clues and lessons from the late master navigator Mau Piailug to guide them. As they sail 2,400 miles along the same sea road as their ancestors, they bear the responsibility of keeping this ancient knowledge alive. Naina sails not only to find an island but to search for something unseen. The Navigator reveals what is possible when we closely observe and deeply connect with the natural world.
Who directed The Navigator?
The Navigator was directed by Jordan Manley.
Who stars in The Navigator?
The principal cast of The Navigator includes Mau Piailug, Nainoa Thompson, Puana Thompson, Lehua Kamalu, Kai Hoshijo.
When was The Navigator released and how long is it?
The Navigator was released in 2026 with a total runtime of 1h 30m.
Who composed the musical score for The Navigator?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Navigator was composed by Matthew Robert Cooper.