Gut Technics : Ocean-Earth-Na‘au

This artist’s commentary reflects on the short film Gut Technics/Hydraulic Islands, about Hawai‘i’s overlooked role in shaping navigation technologies—from ancient double-hull canoes to modern radio waves and GPS. The film highlights the ocean’s critical function in regulating Earth’s well-being and fueling innovation, revealing how militarization, data collection, and resource extraction converge with Hawai‘i’s history. Critiquing continental paradigms, it envisions regenerative possibilities rooted in reciprocal oceanic relations. Ultimately, the artist calls for more ethical engagement with the ocean and the histories behind these essential technologies.