Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeDisney Films Sailing Movie In Hawaii

Disney Films Sailing Movie In Hawaii

By: Kristine Uyeno

(KHNL) - A bunch of young sailors could soon make history.

They're trying to become the youngest crew to sail the Transpacific Yacht Race.

And Disney Studios is capturing it on film in Hawaii.

"The first thing I want to reassure you is that this is not one of those reality shows," said Roy E. Disney, executive producer.

"The Morning Light Project" will be a documentary film about this group trying to become the youngest crew ever to sail halfway across the Pacific.

The race will cover more than 2,200 miles. It will begin in July in Los Angeles and end in Honolulu.

"I'm very happy that this film that the Disney Group is going to put forward, allows us to showcase to the world, our proud history," said Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

More than 500 people applied to be a part of this, but only 15 were selected. Only one is from Hawaii. Eighteen-year-old Mark Towill is a Punahou senior and is also the youngest crew member.

"It's going to be really great experience to sail home and have that goal, that finish line be somewhere really, really special to me," said Towill.

The team is now training on Oahu. That will be a part of the movie, along with the selection process and the competition.

"So far it's been a lot about team bonding and becoming a team," said Genny Tulloch, one of two female crew members.

But by the end of this project, crew members know they'll learn a whole lot more, about hard work, determination and courage.

The movie is expected to be released in mid-2008.