Hayden Ramler captures the essence of Hawaiian Mana on the Ocean

True Blueys
Aug 22, 2017 · 4 min read

Hayden is an Hawaiian paddler and photographer living in Āina Haina, just over Diamond Head. It’s away from the tourist mecca that is Waikiki but right in the centre of Hawaiian paddling.

Brazilian paddler Pedro Henrique Weichert captured by Hayden during his year in Hawaii improving his craft and learning the Hawaiian way.

It’s an incredibly difficult thing to be able to capture and photograph paddlers on the ocean. You need to be close enough to the canoes to get a sense of what they are going through, to see their faces. Hayden is able to achieve this and convey the sport of paddling, you can see the blend of determination and agony. The photographs shows the athletes testing themselves to the limits, pushing themselves through the pain to help collectively power their crew forward.

Hayden capturing a young girl surfing at Waikiki

For me I am interested in how Hayden lives as a Hawaiian, how his background and heritage help shape and motivates his photography. I asked him a few questions to help provide a little background to his art work.

Hayden loves spending time with his daughter, staying busy work or play, traveling, ocean, and photography.

“These things corner up who I am and keep me focused and outta trouble”

I ask him to tell me about the concept of Mana and how it relates to paddling?

Mana is power.. people places objects etc posses some level of mana, u feel it and there is respect for it. For me Mana in paddling is the sensation I get on the water when I hit those highs.

“It’s the connection to our heritage and the opportunity to get out of the city on the water and function as a Hawaiian”

Hayden writes “Lanikai continues their Island wide dominance on familiar water with a clean W at distance opener. A good race today with top representation from Maui and Hawaii Island. Some grabs from today’s duke kahanamoku race top 4 finishers.”

What’s your view on the current state of paddling in Hawaii?

Current view on sport - as a whole, I think paddling culture in Hawaii has a very relaxed approach . There are the few crews that want to compete in an international level.

The boys at @ka_lahui_kai learning to negotiate with the wall.

Who a few of the real leaders in that honour the sport

Leaders in sport. Too many to list, current athletes pushing the bar and organizers making it possible to race and keeping the sport alive. The design and canoe manufactures play a big part in progressing the sport. Companies like Puakea Designs is an innovative company that improve equipment and promote the sport.
Every island, community has leaders, all so important to keeping paddling alive and well.

“For myself and my peers, the overall attitude is we have a lot to learn and are still very much passionate about the sport”

Hayden writes “Chasing the dream”

Lastly I asked him tell me what meaning the Moloka’i Hoe has with Hawaiian paddlers?

It’s a goal for many, just to “cross”. For returning teams it’s another chance to better their last standing, to refine their course strategies and so on.

“Hawaiians and everyone else included there is so much mana in the kaiwi channel, just to be out there is a gift and can render the competitive results insignificant”

Hayden’s photos from finish of #molokai2oahu race. Capturing the last bit of emotion and energy from a 4–5 hour island channel crossing.

When you view Hayden’s work you really get a sense of the famed Hawaiian Waterman Duke Kahanamoku. Seeing how much the ocean is part of Hawaiians culture and heritage, it’s not just limited to one watersport but a multitude and for all ages and types. You also get a sense that it’s much then simple competition, it’s also a very personal connection to the ocean. The concept of Mana and Aloha, a feeling of being connected to their heritage, community and each other. It’s also encourage from a very young age. As Duke Kahanamoku described here:

“My father and my uncle just threw me into the water from an outrigger canoe. I had to swim or else.


Thanks Hayden for this opportunity to share your work in more detail

View more of his work on Instagram


Blueys is a blog about humans living a deep blue life. We aim to inspire and celebrate a blue living.

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True Blueys

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Stories about humans living a deep blue life. We aim to inspire and celebrate blue living.

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