Transcript[]
Text reads: The Mysteries of Life with Tim and Moby.
The animation shows two boarding passes for a flight to Hawaii. The ticket is in full color, with a scene of a jet flying over a Hawaiian beach.
On screen, the opening credits of a television show appear: A helicopter with red and yellow stripes flies over the water, past an oceanside city skyline, as upbeat TV theme music plays. The words “Magnum, A.I.” appear on screen over a vista of open ocean with an island in the distance. In montage, as in the opening credits for a television show, we get the following scenes: Moby, a robot, turns from the driver’s seat of a red convertible car. He wears a blue baseball cap, a red Hawaiian floral shirt, and has a wide mustache. Text reads: “Starring Moby as Magnum, A.I.” Moby speeds off, skidding back onto the road, leaving tire tracks in the grass by the roadside. The car drives past lush trees and flowers as the sun sets.
The montage continues: Moby is shirtless, showing off his chest hair. He co*cks a hair dryer like a gun, then turns it on to blow off his hat, revealing a full head of flowing brown hair. A car explodes; Moby listens on a red, corded phone receiver. The same helicopter flies over Hawai’i. Inside the helicopter, Moby calmly pilots the helicopter while Tim, a boy, presses his arms up towards the roof with a terrified expression on his face. Text reads: “Also Starring Tim As Himself.”
The montage continues: The animation shows the view from the front of the helicopter, which overlooks another sunset and cliffs. In the next scene, Moby is tied up on a red couch, while a large dog delivers a cordless phone to him. Moby looks at the camera—his arms are tied and he can't take the phone. In the next shot, Moby, once again shirtless, runs along a beach while Tim, sweating heavily, stops and puts his hands on his knees. He holds his arm up to signal to Moby to stop, but the robot keeps on running.
On screen, Moby, wearing a full scuba diving suit, mask, and breathing apparatus, swims through a coral reef underwater. A shark swims in front of him. Moby, seeing the shark, shoots back up towards the surface.
The screen cuts to another road, as the red car speeds by. Just like in the helicopter, Tim holds onto the edge of the doorframe, terrified. In the next scene, Moby and Tim are in the ocean. Tim is floating facedown in the water while Moby holds him up as part of a swimming lesson.
Tim:[sputtering through the water] Gaaah aaackkk I already know how to swim!
In the animation, Tim stands up next to Moby. A letter floats over towards Tim and Moby.
Tim: Oh, thank goodness, a letter! [clears throat]
On screen, Tim reads from the wet typed letter.
Tim: Dear Tim & Moby, Can you tell me about Ancient Hawai'i? Thanks, Nanea.
Tim:Sure thing! Hawai'i is an archipelago, a string of islands, smack in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
The animation shows a globe. It rotates clockwise before stopping over the islands of Hawai’i.
Tim: No human being had ever set foot there until around 1500 years ago.
The animation zooms in on Hawai’i. A large canoe with two triangular sails heads toward Hawai’i.
Tim: That's when explorers set out from islands more than 2,000 miles away in search of a new home.
The animation zooms out to show the Polynesian Triangle, a group of archipelagos and islands in the Pacific Ocean spread over thousands of miles: Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), and Aotearoa (New Zealand). A red triangle appears around them, labeled the Polynesian Triangle. Two more boats sail towards Hawai’i.
Tim: These sea navigators, called wayfinders, used the stars and ocean currents to find their way.
The animation shows wayfinders on their boat at night. They look up and check the placement of constellations in the stars.
Tim: They even tracked birds and fish, to tell if there was land nearby.
In the animation, the sky shifts into daytime, with the sun shining. Several birds fly above the boat as a small group of fish swim below it.
Tim: Their voyaging canoes used triangular sails, and carried about 50 people…
The animation shows a voyaging canoe in silhouette. Red lines appear to mark the triangular shape of the sails. 50 human icons appear below the shadow of the canoe.
Tim: Along with everything they needed to settle down: Like coconuts, sugarcane, yams, and taro…even dogs, pigs, and chickens.
In the animation, the human icons disappear. Round insets appear with images of a coconut, green sugar cane stalks, yams, and taro. Then three more appear: a dog, a pig, and a chicken.
Tim: In Hawai'i, they found an untouched paradise.
The animation shows the wayfinders sailing up to the shores of Hawai'i.
Tim: And over centuries, they built a complex civilization.
The animation pans over to show a bustling village of dwellings with peaked roofs: Women with floral headbands bring in baskets of fish from the ocean and do a variety of tasks, while men wearing a variety of cloaks and headwear indicating status gather together in conversation.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby on the beach. Tim has a towel around his shoulders and Moby is still wearing his Hawaiian shirt and baseball cap.
Moby: Beep?
Tim: Ancient Hawaiians organized their society in rigid castes, or social classes.
The animation shows a pyramid with three levels. The bottom layer is labeled kauwā, the middle layer is labeled maka`āinana, and the top layer is labeled ali’i.
Tim: At the top were the ali’i, or chiefs, said to be descended from gods.
The animation zooms in on the top section of the pyramid. Three more subdivisions appear within it: King, ali’i niu, and minor ali’i. Each tier has a figure in it, representing each kind of ali’i. They glow with a golden halo. The king wears the most elaborate headdress.
Tim: The archipelago was divided into kingdoms, which were ruled by ali'i-nui, or high chiefs.
The animation shows an aerial view of the Hawaiian archipelago. Each island—Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui, and Hawai’i—has a label next to it. Insets showing the high chiefs appear next to each island.
Tim: Each island was then split into sections called ahupua'a.
The animation zooms in on O’ahu. The island is divided up into individual or sections of varying size. Each ahupua’a is highlighted in a different color.
Tim: These generally stretched from the mountains to the sea, providing everything a community needed.
The animation zooms in on one of the sections to show the ahupua'a close-up. A river flows down a forested mountain into the sea. Lines appear that label the different parts of the geography: the wao nahele (upland forest) among the trees at the base of the mountain, kaha wai (fresh water) alongside the river, then plains with cultivated cropes, the wao kanaka (agricultural zone). Below that is the kaha kai (coastal zone). At the edge of the land there are loko i’av (fishponds) and kai (sea).
Ahupua'a were run by minor chiefs, who served the high chiefs.
In the animation, an inset appears with a minor chief in it. He wears a yellow and green cloak.
Tim: But as the population grew, so did conflict—including over who would rule.
The animation shows silhouettes of people multiplying, showing a growing population. The silhouettes fade away to reveal the shadow of a spear flying across a red background. The silhouettes of two warriors appear with spears in their hands.
Tim: Earning glory on the battlefield was a way for the ali'i to show their mana: their strength of spirit.
On screen, the two warriors fight. One of them knocks his opponent away. The spear falls out of the failed opponent’s hands as he falls and shrinks away.
Tim: The best leaders had great mana, giving them authority and influence.
The animation shows the victorious warrior from cloak and headdress, in silhouette, surrounded by people. The silhouette resolves to a full color image of the chief, in a red and yellow cloak with a large red and yellow helmet. He holds a spear in his right hand. Rays of light emanate from him.
Tim: Ali'i could also demonstrate their mana by competing in sports: Wrestling, surfing, and cliff diving, along with feats of physical strength
In the animation, a man surfs a large wave alongside a woman. Water splashes over them, transitioning the animation to a split screen. One panel shows two men wrestling, the second shows the woman surfing, and the third shows another woman diving off of a cliff.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Tim: Like lifting the massive Naha stone. According to legend, whoever did it would be the one to unite the islands.
In the animation, a thought bubble appears above Tim and Moby’s heads. In it a woodcut appears of a young man straining to lift a large, flat, oblong stone.
Tim: Alongside the ali'i were the kahuna, or professional class—healers, artisans, craftspeople, and priests.
The animation shows the top of the class pyramid again. The two tiers of ali’i shrink to the left side, dividing the ali’i section below the King down the middle. To its right, a new section is labeled “kahuna.” It splits vertically into two subsections: kahuna nui and minor kahuna below it. Figures appear in their respective sections.
The animation cuts to four new panels showing: a healer holding a jar and leaves while working on a patient; a woman using a carved paddle to create patterned fabric; a man using a wood-carving tool to shape a canoe; and a priest holding a golden staff. He wears a green, leafy headpiece.
Tim: The high priests advised the king, along with a council of high chiefs.
The animation of the priest expands to fill the entire screen. The king and several chiefs stand on the other side of the priest, listening to him speak.
Tim: Most ancient Hawaiians fell into the third social class: the common people, or maka`āinana.
The animation highlights the maka`āinana section of the class pyramid. Three insets appear, two women in plain clothing and a man in a dark green cloak.
Tim: They used sophisticated methods to farm both land and sea, including aquaculture: like agriculture, but for fish.
The animation shows a group of men and women cultivating and harvesting plants. The screen transitions to show two men spearing fish in fishponds. Another man stands further in the fishpool, catching fish with a net. Baskets of fish sit in the foreground.
Tim: They sent a portion of their crops to their ali'i as taxes.
The animation shows an ali’i with a red and yellow helmet and cloak. Hands appear from the left side of the screen, holding out a basket of crops to him.
Tim: All the way on the bottom of society were the kauwā, outcasts or enslaved people.
The animation shows the full caste system pyramid before zooming in on the bottom kauwā section. One bubble appears, showing a man with no cloak.
Tim: You could be born kauwā or become it, as a prisoner of war or as punishment for breaking kapu.
The animation shows a line of kauwā men with their hands bound together with ropes walking in a line.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Moby: Beep?
Tim: Kapu literally means “forbidden.” It was a system of religious laws that governed every aspect of daily life:
Tim: Rules like: men and women were banned from eating together; Fishing could only happen during certain seasons; And no one was allowed to touch an ali’i—or even their shadow.
The animation shows a series of icons representing banned actions, in red circles with lines through them: a man and a woman sitting next to each other and sharing fruit, a fish in a net, and an ali’i with a white outline of a hand touching his shoulder.
Tim: That would steal their mana, so it carried the death penalty!
In the animation, a skull and crossbones icon appear next to the icon representing touching an ali'i.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Moby: Beep?
Tim: Of course, Hawaiian religion wasn't only about banning things.
Tim: The famous hula dance originated in religious ceremonies:
The animation shows three women performing a hula dance, illuminated by torches. They are wearing head wreaths, necklaces, and anklets made of greenery, along with large, white skirts.
Tim: Dancers moved slowly, knees bent in humility, using gestures to tell a story.
The animation uses flames to transition to a different group of dancers. Three male dancers perform a hula dance. The dancers wear head wreaths, necklaces, and anklets made of greenery, and an elaborately-wrapped cloth around their hips.
Tim: They were accompanied by a chant, along with drums and other percussion.
The animation shows two men playing different handheld drums.
Tim: In addition to these roles, hula was a vehicle for Hawaiian oral tradition:
The animation again shows the three male hula dancers performing.
Tim: Passing down stories and knowledge from generation to generation.
In the animation, a woman, man, and child watch the male hula dancers perform. The child begins to imitate their dance and gestures.
Tim: The dance was also performed to honor ali'i, and as entertainment.
The animation shows an ali’i with a yellow helmet and cloak watching the male dancers perform the hula.
Tim: Ancient Hawaiian society stayed this way for hundreds of years—until the late 1700s.
Tim: When Kamehameha I set out to unite the islands into a single kingdom.
The animation shows Kamehameha I standing on a cliff, looking out over the island. He is wearing a golden helmet and cloak, with a red sash, and holds a tall spear.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Tim: Remember the legend of lifting the Naha stone?
In the animation, Moby nods.
Tim: Well, supposedly Kamehameha did it as a young man, fulfilling the prophecy.
The animation shows a woodcut-style scene of Kamehameha, as a younger man, lifting the Naha stone.
Tim: In 1778, an English explorer named James Cook stumbled onto the islands.
The animation shows an aerial view of Hawai’i. A western ship with an English flag sails into one of the islands. An inset showing James Cook, wearing a gray wig, pops up on screen.
Tim: Other foreigners followed, bringing new ideas and new military technology.
In the animation, James Cook disappears. Then a bunch of other western ships sail up to the archipelago. Three insets appear, showing guns and a canon.
The animation cuts back to Tim.
Tim: And Kamehameha saw an opportunity.
Tim: He adapted quickly, using those tactics—and cannons—in his campaign to conquer the entire archipelago.
The animation shows three Hawaiian warriors holding spears. There's a poof of smoke, and magically their spears are replaced with rifles and revolvers. The animation pans over to reveal three cannons.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Tim: Which he finally did in 1810, after a decade of relentless war.
Tim: As King Kamehameha I, he put the Hawaiian Kingdom on the map.
The animation shows Kamehameha in an inset on a map showing Hawaii and North America. A label, “The Kingdom of Hawai’i,” appears next to the archipelago.
Tim: He filled royal coffers and built connections through the international trade of sandalwood—
In the animation, the map shifts slightly west, showing the eastern coast of China. Red lines appear between Hawai’i and China, showing trade routes. An inset of sandalwood appears over Hawai’i.
Tim: One of the most sought-after woods in the world, and abundant in Hawai'i.
The animation shows a Hawaiian forest full of sandalwood trees.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Tim: At home, he established one of the first human rights laws in history: The Law of the Splintered Paddle, to protect the weak from the strong.
The animation shows a broken boat paddle lit by sunlight, in a field of flowers overlooking the sea.
Tim: The name comes from the time a fisherman struck Kamehameha during a raid.
The animation shows a woodcut-style rendering of a scene in Kamehameha’s life. A fisherman raises his paddle and slams it down over Kamehameha, who wears a helmet but no cloak. The screen cuts to reveal the paddle, splintered in two pieces from the force of the strike.
Tim: Years later, Kamehameha regretted the raid, and forgave the man for striking him.
The woodcut-style animation shows Kamehameha, now king, wearing both a helmet and cloak, smiling at the fisherman, who smiles back.
Tim: He declared that the fisherman—and all people—had the right to live without fear of violence.
The woodcut-style animation shows Kamehameha I with his arm raised, as he makes his declaration.
Tim: Today, the law lives on as part of the state of Hawaii's constitution.
The screen shifts to show the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Moby: Beep?
Tim: The kingdom Kamehameha built lasted just under a century, through the reign of Queen Lili'uokalani.
The animation shows Queen Lili’uokalani on a gold throne, wearing a Victorian-style dress and a sash.
Tim: In 1893, a group of white businessmen overthrew the queen, seizing control of the islands and paving the way for American statehood.
The image of Queen Lili'uokalani shrinks to half of the screen. The other side of the screen now shows white businessmen in late-19th century suits. The panel expands to fill the whole screen, revealing more businessmen.
The animation shows soldiers in formation outside of the Hawaiian royal palace, 'Iolani Palace.
Tim: Under U.S. rule, Hawaiian traditions were suppressed, or even outlawed.
The animation shows an American flag. Three round insets appear, showing a hula dancer, a surfer, and a priest’s religious staff with red lines striking through them.
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Tim: Some—like the Hawaiian language—were in danger of being lost forever.
Tim: Then in the 1970s, there was a revival known as the Hawaiian Renaissance: A renewed interest and pride in Hawaiian identity, including language, music—even wayfinding.
The animation shows a group of Hawaiians in the 1970s, wearing floral wreaths and necklaces, as well as ones made from greenery, over contemporary clothing. This shrinks into a smaller panel on the top left corner of the screen. A panel appears on the top right corner of the screen, with text bubbles written in Hawaiian. A panel on the bottom left corner of the screen shows three men performing a song on both the guitar and ukulele. A panel on the bottom right corner shows a newer voyaging canoe sailing through the ocean under a night sky.
Tim: A new generation of wayfinders built a replica of an ancient voyaging canoe, Hōkūle'a, which now sails the globe, using only traditional navigation.
The animation shows the Hōkūle'a sailing across the sea. The background shifts from the open ocean to a globe, surrounded by images of constellations, a bird, fish, and ocean waves.
Tim: Anyway…
The animation cuts back to Tim and Moby.
Tim: I'm starting to prune up. Wanna get going?
Moby: Beep.
Tim: By the way, where'd you get that mustache?
In the animation, Moby taps his finger against his chin before quickly turning and gesturing towards the sunset.
Tim: You're right, buddy, there's nothing like a Hawaiian sunset.
In the animation, Tim turns to look at the sunset with Moby, revealing that part of the back of his head has been shaved, in the shape of a mustache.
On screen, Moby turns around and raises his eyebrows. As the Magnum, A.I. theme song plays again, credits appear over the screen: Coordinating Producer (Mineral Fiore), Line Producer (Mink Mittens), Associate Producer (Naomi Finbar), Make Up & Hair Stylist (Silvya Damnsel), Property Master (Humberto Stormes), Technical Coordinator (Dan Bongo), Sound Mixer (Jim Jim), Post Production Services By (Slice & Dice Tech), Color By Ultracolor.
The animation zooms out to show Tim, now turned around and staring at Moby. The music stops. The credits continue to roll.
Tim: Uh, what are you doing?
