CLIENT: SAMSUNG

DIRECTOR: BENJAMIN ONO

AGENCY PARTNERS: UEG + WORLD SURF LEAGUE

CREATIVE: BLUE OX

PRODUCTION: BLUE OX

POST: BLUE OX

TALENT: JOHN JOHN FLORENCE

TALENT: JACK ROBINSON

TALENT: JOHANNE DEFAY

TALENT: SHAUN TOMSON

TALENT: MOANA JONES WONG

TALENT: LEAH DAWSON

TALENT: JOHN PYZEL

WSL PRODUCER: TIM GREENBERG

UEG EP: JARED PEARLMAN

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: ROBBY KOLANZ

PRODUCER: EMILY MORBERG

PRODUCER: TAY ROSS

PRODUCER: ASHTON GOGGINS

PRODUCTION MANAGER: RAPHA LEBLANC

DP: CONNOR KELSEY

CAM OP: MAKANA LABOY

CAM OP: SANTANA SEBASTIAN

CAM OP: ILJA MARAN

1ST AC: VINCENT RICAFORT

GAFFER: BRADY BERRYHILL

SOUNDTECH: GUILLERMO NAVARRO

SOUND: BRYCE PAUL STEPHENS

POST DIRECTOR: MATT WILCOX

ASSISTANT POST DIRECTOR: CAM GOOD

POST PRODUCER: EMILY MORBERG

EDITOR: SANTANA SEBASTIAN

EDITOR: MITCHELL HARRIS

ASSISTANT EDITOR: NEIL PETERSON

VFX: 9iFX

VFX: PAUL DESILVA

VFX: WTTR STUDIOS

VFX: VFX LA

SOUND MIX: JEBARI DEAN

COLOR: ELLIOTT POWELL

PA: JAMES MACKENZIE

PA: BRAEDEN PATO

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: SHAUN TOMSON

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: OPPER FILMS

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: PARALLEL SEA

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: WORLD SURF LEAGUE

October 12, 2024, hōkū lele C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS made it’s 80,000 year orbit past our planet.

As the sun fell below the horizon on the North Shore of O'ahu, we turned our gaze out to the ocean. 15 minutes into dusk, the clouds parted and we could see the brilliant comet tail. Thankful to witness such a rare and significant celestial event here at home.

Model: Xavier Downey-Silva

Client - Leica Camera

‘O HAWAI’I MĀKOU

Mainei Kinimaka - Writer & Director 

Ben Ono - Cinematography, Camera Operator, Editor, Sound Design, Color Grading.

Keawe Goodhue - Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Translation & Dialect 

CAST

Haylin Chock

Kia Kaha Lopez 

Kahīkoloa Lopez

Kaikalā Lopez

Titus Kinimaka

Te Kehukehu Butler 

Manawai Olanolan

Lai’ula Olanolan

Lihu’e Kinimaka Lopez 

Joe Lopez 

Robin Kinimaka 

‘Alekai Kinimaka

Kai’ale’ale Kinimaka

Mainei Kinimaka

Feat. Dwayne Johnson

Director: Nash Howe

Director of Photography: Benjamin Ono

Client: Polo Ralph Lauren

Role: Director of Photography

adidas x Fear of God

Essentials Footages: Benjamin Ono (Water & Ocean Room)

3x3 - An immersive brand and product experience featuring 3-screen video and sound installations. Fear of God tapped Even/Odd to showcase their family of brands and the newly-launched Athletics partnership with Adidas. They created a 3-room immersive video and sound installation to engage customers within a unique retail experience at Innersect 2022—the cutting-edge culture, art, and fashion event in Shanghai.

Director & Photographer

Carissa Moore - Cover Shoot

Vineyard Vines F23

Role: Director of Photography

Head of Content: Ron Strutti

Social Media Lead: Roy Mayer

Edit by: Nadav Elovic

Production: PURE CINEMA

Director: Andi Lipo

DOP/Water Op: Benjamin Ono

Executive Producer: Luke McCain

Producer: Michael Alexander

Head of Production: Emily Pacillo Kern

Sound Mixer: Rogelio Muñoz

Production Support & Coordinator: Aleph Alighieri

Production Assistant: Francisco Viamontes

There is an invisible line, a barrier if you will, that stops us from moving forward. As humans, we tend to shy away from our own skin as it pertains to our natural state. We observe animals and seem to draw a disconnect between them, a hierarchy. We tend to define our own bodies as human and the rest of the beings of earth as “animals.” We reinforce this headspace with aquariums, cages & domestication. All the while, this dissociation feeds and grows other false attitudes, most prominently, fear.

“A Note From Earth…” explores the taboo and intimate connection between nudity, wildlife & naturalism. The series was created over a span of four months and strictly through the technique of freediving - each moment only lasting as long as a single breath of air. This collection of images was made in collaboration with the non-profit Earth Family as a part of their 2021 Calendar, featuring artist & activist Marisa Papen.

Director - Benjamin Ono

FORMATION feat. Coco Ho for Pirette

Directed by Benjamin Ono

Director of Photography Mason Prendergast

1st AC Vincent Ricafort

Drone Operators Mason Prendergast & Benjamin Ono

Water Operator Benjamin Ono

Original Score, "Tremble" by Nash Howe based off of Carole King's, "I Feel the Earth Move"

Sound Design & Sound Mix by Nash Howe

Spoken Word, "Peace" by Sharon Irving

Client - ROXY x Mizuno

Featuring - Mainei Kinimaka

Roles - Director, DP & Editor

Model: Xavier Downey-Silva

Naya, 2023 | Hawaii

Model: Xavier Downey Silva

ha’a keaulana - commissioned by olukai

Ha'a Keaulana is the Granddaughter of Surf Legend Buffalo Keaulana and daughter to Big Wave Surfer/Stuntman and Waterman Brian Keaulana. Immersed in her Hawaiian Culture and surrounded by the beautiful sea and landscapes of the Leeward Coast, Ha'a has made Mākaha Beach her playground for work and surf.

Sing to me, Muse, of the Island Gem,

A place of magic in the Pacific,

Where the sun rises to meet the ocean,

And the waves roar with a mighty sound.

As I walk on the land and gaze upon the sea,

Brilliant coral reefs stretch out before me,

Their colors glistening in the sunlight,

A sight that takes my breath away.

Even in paradise, darkness can lurk,

And the Island Gem is not immune to its murk,

To the vices that tempt and allure,

Leaving only sighs when life is no more.

The strongest of men can fall,

To the depths of depression and the siren's call,

Their souls lost in the abyss,

As they struggle to keep the Island Gem shining bright.

So sing with me, Muse, of the Island Gem,

And the beauty that lies within.

Director / Director of Photography

Director of Photography - Ben Ono

“Know how to swim, wear a suit that will stay on, kick like HELL and come out of the water smiling.” -Mark Cunningham

The fingertips lead and pressure is applied to the surface through the palm; like a hot knife through butter, the rest of the body follows in a magnificent physical phenomena of planing. While deemed a competition on paper, this term could not be further from the truth; merely an excuse for an underground crew to gather one day per year at the blissful Pipeline. Some would say they are whole group of weirdos, with tiny trunks and multicolored caps. But what I came discover is this community has dialed in one fundamental truth, how to have a good time.

Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic, 2020.

I jolted awake as our prop plane encountered turbulence. There was drool on my left shoulder, a usual suspect amongst aeronautical siestas. Through my delirious awakening, I peered through the window greeted with the most fantastic sight. My eyes squinted protectively as a bright blue ocean looked back up at me. Against the afternoon sun, a lush green mountain rose into the clouds. A paradise within paradise. In that moment, the isles of French Polynesia imprinted its beauty to my core.

One crisp morning in Kona, humanity stepped out along the volcanic coastline. It’s barren rock, the rock that made way for Man’s net, whispered in silent acknowledgement; what we do is not for the sport of our counterparts, but a means of connectivity to the food we eat.

Under plumes of cloud, seemingly made of red phosphorus, divers washed away the malice in the seawater without debt. And so with the pelagic blue, time becomes irrelevant, just as things slow in moments of pure focus, I had a recognizable sentiment that life was about to be taken. A pair of rose colored glasses drifted slowly into the depths, fading into darkness.

A community recognizes the kill. Evoking the rare smile of the elders, recalling days of their youth, feeding the universal longing not only of stomach - but of heart.

Hawaii, 2020. On assignment for OluKai.

Baja Journal - May 19, 2022

Our expedition begins in the bustling tourist commune of La Paz - a colorful and eccentric gateway to a much different experience.

Our driver Abi, a local mechanic and guide, pulls up in a busted 90s Chevy 4WD SUV. He propped the rear view window with a broom handle - I threw my bags in the car and we were off. Our route, three hours up the Sea of Cortez to the village of San Evarista.

Asphalt soon morphed into dust, an arid heat, navigated by few excluding several families of local fisherman. I watched the bars of cell service slowly grow smaller, each line less connected to the outside world and putting myself more into this one - the desert and an endless sea of cacti.

Abi hadn’t said a word the entire journey - the silent type, in his home, a part of the desert and its steep inclines and nuance. We stopped on a cliff side overlooking the Sea of Cortez - our radiator scorching from the Mexican sun. Our precious commodity of water used as a last resort coolant, Abi as assumed, said nothing throughout this hiccup.

Our expedition continued through the desert canyons, an eerie display of shrines greeted us through the passes - tributes to lives taken by the desert. Narrow valleys converted into steep cliff sides, a one lane passage.

The village of San Evarista is a miracle - resting underneath the mountains of Baja and the Sea of Cortez, it’s a symbol of human endeavor, a representation of will - settling a new life in one of earths most unforgiving environments. Nestled against the water, small fishing boats settled between a fresh breeze and a still sea, speaking whispers under small lapping wind swells.

To be continued...

Afternoon light fell behind a glowing face. The water opaque with liquid fire. Shadows skated across its surface. Blurs. The holy grail of juxtaposition, a beast shrouded in a colorful combination of qualities, in shape and form, that pleased the aesthetic senses like an enchantress. An evening at Pipeline.

Client: Tiny Atlas Quarterly x Coast to Costa

Up a small dark stairway a woman stood by a door. Red light flickered from the crack underneath. The rhythm of percussive instruments pulsed through the thin walls. A thick aroma of rum and cigar smoke enveloped the room as bodies played under dim candlelight. Through music and dance, a unspoken revolution emerged. An outlet of frustration, happiness and sadness through creative expression. The heart of Havana.

It’s all clear now.

I can see why I love her - the Ocean and her many moods. Tranquility in the rain and bliss as the sun bakes her turquoise skin. A rage during the day that is matched with equal compassion as the sun sets. She is a fanatic, daydream and vixen - the blue guru.

featuring Betty Lou Sakura Johnson

Small grains of sand tumbled across an empty beach, which caused a mild sting as their journey was interrupted by pale skin. The grass twisted amongst itself - nature’s wind chimes. Sea water seemed to hang in the air along the sea cliffs, soaking hair and clothing alike. While at first glance it may be viewed as a cold and desolate landscape, many have seem to have found the beauty between the dunes.

Client: Adobe Lightroom

Agency: Tiny Atlas Quarterly

It’s been over a month since I’ve arrived home - I’m sitting at my desk, drinking lukewarm coffee and day old pizza. I’ve found myself in between a state of eagerness and near painful nostalgia.

My travel partner Gabe, couldn’t have been closer to the truth when he confidently stated, “Mexico will take hold of you.” I didn’t know it at the time but that short stint south of the border would infatuate my mind for weeks to come. I don’t think I can pinpoint one particular person or event that aroused this insatiable wanderlust. It is a cumulative concoction of nature, food, music, dance and conversation. Whatever fuels this infatuation has a bloody, lime drenched, death grip on me.

I can still taste that morning coffee - overflowing with fresh squeezed coconut milk, leaving a fatty but pleasant residue on my tongue. There was always the distinct sound of horse hooves, galloping into the sunset, compressing the wet sand with every stride. I drift back to those long nights by a raging bonfire - the smell of Corona and woodsmoke wafting over a bioluminescent coastline. I can still feel my feet stumbling through an impromptu salsa lesson, a skill I’ve since vowed to improve.

As a resident of Hawaii, I thought I dialed in the art of relaxation. However, there is a certain pace (or lack of cell service) in Guerrero, MX that made me appreciate the slow times more than ever. This won’t be my last time time to this pantropical paradise - I’ve made it my mission to get back to the slow life, as quick as I can.

As a photographer I’ve always asked myself what’s next? How can I push myself creatively and do something different than my past works.

Long time friend, big wave huntress and overall baddass @emi_erickson allowed me to explore these questions. While our normal backdrop for a shoot with Emi is typically maxing Waimea or Sunset, we took this session to the studio.

In my eyes, Emi has always been a role model for women in the surf community. She embraces a strong physical stature that allows her to be one of the best water women in the world. And the fire is always balanced with a goofy Emi laugh at the end of the day.

A studio session with @emi_erickson Feb. 2021.

Client: Guam Tourism

Vines draped over the entrance of the cave - the air was dense with moisture along with something a bit more metaphysical. Roots entered the depths of the caves, spreading like veins deep into the darkness. An offering was placed, accompanied by traditional Chamorro vocalizations recognizing the spirits of the earth, the Taotaomo’na. We asked for out safe passage through the jungle, “Grandmother and grandfather, excuse us. May we walk through and visit your land and when you come to our land we will welcome you to do the same.”

World Champion longboarder Honolua Blomfield enjoying some summertime activities at home. North Shore, Oahu.

Client: REEF sandals

Location: Tahiti, French Polynesia.

The ocean created a bed of blue - for a lifetime I felt like I had been in a coma. The surface twinkled with every passing sunbeam. A glassy surface stuck in an improbable ether. And now, with a warm hug of a far away place, I’m finally waking up. Magnificent.

SP21 | Hawaii

Heel to toe - each foot sank deeper into the sand. Footsteps immediately erased by each passing wave. A Sisyphean task for the evening occupants. A warm glow was accompanied by a chilled wind, a welcome from a temperate Autumn. A small moment at home, an evening with Coco Ho.

Client: Tiny Atlas Quarterly

Location: Kauai, HI

The machete struck the exterior of the coconut - sending a resounding thud and crack down the beach. Sand particulates flung from the end of the blade. A vaporous blast shot from the husk - coconut water overflowed, filling the vicinity with the pleasant oily aroma.

Alas, summer in the country comes to a close. But not without the final call to arms from Ireland’s emerald youth. With the smell of turf smoke lingering on wooly jumpers, the clothes are stripped and thrown upon the rocks. A mandatory skinny dip takes place in the frigid Atlantic waters - washing away the forthcoming realities of adulthood for a few hypothermic seconds.

As the sun fell behind the skyscrapers of Waikiki, a small oasis appeared within the concrete jungle. An incandescence appeared down a narrow gravel driveway - the clink of wine glasses mixed cosily with quiet laughter. Jazz music reverberated across the home, bouncing off the numerous surfboards and book lined shelves. Diego, the house overwatch and everybody’s favorite canine, sat patiently in the hallway waiting for his evening treat.

On the farthest edge of nowhere, luminous beings awoke from one dream and into another. They started their journey along a long white stretch of beach - the midday heat warming a pair of sunbathing bellies. An otherworldly feeling. Looking up at the sky from a tall ceiling, the figures remained stuck, angels weaving the stitching between heaven and earth.

Client: Olukai - Summer 2019 Campaign

Location: Oahu, HI

I could feel a thin mist of rain coating the hair on my forearm. Droplets dewed the plumeria and surrounding foliage. A calmness came over the hill side as the pitter patter of rain resonated across the wavy palm fronds. At a certain point, you stop trying to stay dry - your hair is wet, your clothes are soaked and you let your shoulders relax in euphoric relief.

To grow up in these places - saltwater kneaded into the soul before you could stand. Barefoot. The wooden planks of a dock becoming the home to late evenings and early mornings. Simplicity. This is Youth in Paradise.

Model: Hannah Baxter

Location: Downhill Strand Beach, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Small grains of sand tumbled across an empty beach, which caused a mild sting as their journey was interrupted by pale skin. The grass twisted amongst itself - nature’s wind chimes. Sea water seemed to hang in the air along the sea cliffs, soaking hair and clothing alike. While at first glance it may be viewed as a cold and desolate landscape, many have seem to have found the beauty between the dunes.

“Hallelujah!” exclaimed the old man. His young apprentice, no older than the age of twelve ran over to hand the old man his other Nikonos loaded with black and white film. The boat rocked side to side. The boy was feelings a small case of seasickness flurry up under his throat - although he would never tell this to the old man. The old man dove back over the side of the dinghy to photograph the miracle below. This morning, the water was rough and the current pulled hard to the East. While the ocean looked tempting, the boy was never one to confuse ambition with ability. He waited patiently, filling the air with the sound of his thoughts. For two long minutes he waited for that excited old man to resurface once again.

Yosemite Valley, Feb. 2020.

No one tells you when to start living. One day you wake up 5 or 10 years down the road, just waiting for the universe to tell you it’s your time. You find yourself blankly staring at the wall of your cubicle or bedroom. But all you need to do is walk through the door - maybe grab a couple buds on the way out. Go as far away from home as you can, you don’t need anyone’s permission. Before you know it, you’ll be there - it will be unexpectedly different and quite amazing.

The water brushes your cheek bones. The sun warms the pores as your mind is transfixed below the surface - an aquatic detox. You can hear the gentle hum of the deep blue, with its occasional clicking and bubbly delusion. One breath down, suspended in a sunbeam, your worries dissolve into the azure.

The mornings are crisp and cool - sporadic rain showers follow the onset of Fall. Rainbows glisten on the horizon like Christmas ornaments hung two months too early by an overly ambitious mother. A stillness still lingers over the North, an easy Sunday morning compared to bustle of Monday that is wintertime. A morning coffee and a quiet walk down an overcast beach, a moment at home, a simple life.