I was surprised at how this movie engaged me. I was deeply skeptical about this film since I feel that Hollywood has consistently been inaccurate in its portrayal of Hawaii, its values and its people. I got over being infuriated and gave this movie a chance. I liked it. The entire theme of surfing and aloha was natural and although the acting was wooden by the lead haole guy in the first half of the story, I cared about what was going to happen. When Duke Kahanamoku's character was introduced I understood why he was not the lead actor/main focus of the story. He was a true Hawaiian that practiced cultural values that saved, befriended and had much to teach the arrogant modern day surfer. Sean Kaawa did a great job playing the Duke.I was impressed with the special effects – the look of Waikiki and Manoa and thought the camera was clever (I couldn't 100% be sure of which part of the island the scenes were taking place). The simplicity of the landscape, a Waikiki uncrowded; as a Hawaiian this made me yearn for a Hawaii I wish I knew and perhaps that will always be the power of a time travel story. Hawaii back in 1911 is an awesome idea and I was glad to see it done so well. I was moved by that one camera shot when David is against the old broken train wagon. The surfers that populated this story were put to good use. Those ocean shots! Those waves! I appreciated the subtle way Hawaiian values on surfing, life and aloha were woven into the movie. I want to see more movies like this! Kudos to the film makers and everyone involved in bringing this story life! Mahalo.

I had the pleasure of meeting a few cast and crew members when they came out to tour the movie in San Diego. A group of us from SDSU's Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) were given the opportunity to view the movie for the first time and give our feed back to the cast and crew members that were present. And of course, without a doubt, we all agreed that this movie was the best any of us had ever seen about Duke Kahanamoku and the joys of surfing. The Ride illustrates the surreal connection between the early days of surfing and its growth over the years since the Duke. At the same time redefining the old cultural ways and the strong rooted connections among family and friends. What more is there to say, other than it's a great movie?!? Between the great cast, awesome location, sound track and most definitely the story line, this movie is definitely one of the best I've seen come from the Hawaii!

Wow! I've only watched the movie twice but now that I have the DVD I'm sure I'll be watching it more often. I haven't seen a movie that best represented Hawaii until this one came out. It really makes me very proud of my Heritage and my Culture. Very moving and it instills the true meaning of Aloha from a locals point of view. It also shows us (the younger generation) how much more there really is to our culture rather than making the money. Of course we need to make the money especially living in Hawaii, but not to lose the respect for others and ourselves. Not a lot of us live with patience or true aloha, with the life style we grow up with now days it's hard...influences come from the wrong things and sometimes just being good ain't worth it no more. It's hard and most people do what it takes to get by while others forget how it felt to be struggling before they had anything. But not everybody is like that...there's still some out there that live the aloha spirit to the heart every single day. I pray that one day we can all be like that...but till then the movie will continue to be a remembrance of the aloha spirit. Job well done...Aloha...Cruzah16

This is a simple romantic story about a young spoiled athlete, David, learning lifes lessons and coming of age. The story revolves around the surfing legend Duke K. prior to his fame and how Duke and a young woman change David's priorities.The acting by the local artists was excellent and they carried the movie. David's character was very weak but the story carried me beyond his limitations. This was a low budget movie but not in the same category as the God's Must Be Crazy. But it is a good beginning. I will be happy to share this movie with my family and I am looking forward to it.