Surf’s Up: Pōhaku – NOWNESS

This short documentary by NOWNESS follows native Hawaiian craftsman Tom Pōhaku Stone, as he talks about the spiritual origins of surfing on the island. We follow Stone through the forest as he wanders in his traditional dress, while seeing him crafting a surfboard from a tree. The process is a personal one that seems to tap into the spiritual nature of the island – Stone blesses the board and thanks the forest for the spirit of the tree, before we see him taking it out on the waves. It’s a far cry from the usual surfing with standard fibreglass boards and thrill-seeking outlook on the sport.

NOWNESS|Hawaii|Surfing