World Ocean Day: A Voice That Echoed

I met Todd Yamashita through his voice.

He had filmed interviews for a World Ocean Day collaboration between Media Evolve and Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR), and I was deep in post-production, stitching together the footage. For hours, I listened to Todd’s gentle voice guiding his sons through conversations about Moloka‘i—their love for the island, their cultural roots, and their responsibility to the ocean.

He stayed behind the camera, but his presence was felt in every word they spoke.

Just days earlier, I had begun talks with HMAR about creating a short film for NOAA and Ko Olina’s annual World Ocean Day celebration. For the past five years, this event has brought together communities and organizations to celebrate our collective connection to the sea. In Hawai‘i, Ko Olina Resort collaborates with NOAA and other partners to produce the celebration, and this year, it would be streamed virtually by ʻŌiwi TV, showcasing conservation work from across the South Pacific.

NOAA reached out to HMAR. HMAR contacted us. And suddenly, I found myself immersed in raw, honest footage of two boys speaking from the heart.

Todd’s sons weren’t just adorable on camera—they were insightful. Their innocence, paired with a wisdom beyond their years, struck me. Their connection to their Hawaiian identity and their deep reverence for the ocean were woven into every sentence.

As a Navy wife, I’ve long lived a transient life. I left my home in Virginia years ago and embraced movement as a constant. Since I was a child, travel was the only thing I remember ever truly wanting—to explore new cultures, to learn from unfamiliar communities. I’ve now been in Hawai‘i for a year, and in that time, I’ve grown increasingly captivated—envious, even—of the profound connection Native Hawaiians have to their land, their stories, and their ocean.

I find myself wondering: if I listen closely enough, if I respect their stories and carry them with care, could their culture somehow become part of my own? This is how Todd’s children spoke to me—not just as voices in a video, but as teachers.

I edited the film with a sense of urgency and reverence, eager to do justice to the message. Once the final cut was reviewed, we submitted it to NOAA. All we could do was wait.

Two weeks later, the virtual World Ocean Day celebration went live on Facebook. I logged in with nervous anticipation. For two hours, I watched powerful stories from across the Pacific—stories of conservation, community, and cultural resilience. I scribbled ideas, sparked by potential connections and future collaborations. And I waited, eager to see our film appear.

But as time ticked on, doubt crept in.

Had they forgotten us? Did the video make the cut? Or maybe they were saving the best for last?

As the host began her closing remarks, my heart sank. Then, almost as an afterthought, she added: “One last video message…”

And there it was.

Our film.

A wave of emotion hit me. Relief. Joy. Gratitude. Pride.

This project is more than just a short film. To me, it’s the true inauguration of Media Evolve. It’s the moment we found our voice—not just behind the lens, but within the community.

Todd Yamashita’s sons are the future of ocean stewardship. They speak with hope, clarity, and purpose. And now that we’ve heard them, we must not let them down.