Remathau: People of the Ocean follows the journey of Nicole Yamase, a young marine biologist from Micronesia who ventures to the deepest part of the ocean and begins an even deeper dive of self-discovery as she reconnects with her people's resilience and oceanic roots.
"Remathau: People of the Ocean" will globally premiere at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, October 2025, Honolulu.
"Remathau: People of the Ocean" is a feature documentary that follows the journey of Nicole Yamase, the first Micronesian to dive to the deepest part of the ocean, Challenger Deep, in the Marianas Trench.
Nicole begins her journey of discovery by diving to the deepest part of the ocean, an area within the Marianas Trench named “Challenger Deep” that lies beneath the territorial waters of her country. When she surfaces, she is met with a storm of media attention. Feeling the immense pressure of being the first Micronesian to go down to the Challenger Deep (and only the second woman in history), Nicole begins a deeper dive into her own identity as a Micronesian and a descendant of great navigators.
This experience ultimately opens her eyes to the true resilience of Pacific Island people who despite immense hardship brought on by external forces–continue to draw strength from the cultural practices, languages, and ancestral knowledge that anchor them to their oceanic homeland.
The film is an exploration of collective identity through individuals who, although living within a diaspora, remain deeply connected to their home islands through their languages, communal values, cultural practices, and shared beliefs. It is a deep dive into Indigenous ways and Pasifika identity, with the intention of learning what it truly means to be Remathau, people of the ocean.
From the Director
"In March of 2021, when Nicole asked me personally to help her tell the story of her historic dive to the deepest part of the ocean, I had no idea that it would evolve into a feature-length documentary that would end up spanning oceans, islands, and multiple generations. With this film, we witnessed the deepest dive of all – a journey through identity, representation, and responsibility. The experience allowed us to look through the window of time and affirm that, if left open, it will always breathe new life into what a Pacific Island story can and should be." - Daniel H. Lin.
Daniel H. Lin
Daniel H. Lin is a filmmaker and photojournalist focusing on the impacts of climate change, post-colonialism, and globalization on cultural identity within Indigenous communities across the Pacific Islands and in Asia. Currently, Daniel is the Associate Director for Strategic Alliances at Nia Tero. This is his first-ever feature film, having only worked on a handful of short film projects in the past.
Dr. Nicole Yamase | Pohnpei/Chuuk
Is from the islands of Pohnpei and Chuuk, in the Federated States of Micronesia. She was the first citizen of her country to obtain a PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her studies focused on the ecophysiology of native Hawaiian macroalgae. In 2021, Nicole explored the Western pool of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean. This made her the first Indigenous person, first marine botanist, and youngest female to ever reach the deepest part of the known ocean.
Maximus Yarawamai | Ulithi
Was born in Ulithi, Atoll in Yap, Micronesia, and moved to Hawaiʻi when he was 13 years old. Despite having a successful career in the landscaping business, he considers his primary role to be a bridge between the Micronesian diaspora and the people of Hawaiʻi. Max has created safe spaces for Micronesians and other migrant youth in Hawaiʻi to comfortably play and learn.
Here you can download the press kit, containing comprehensive information and insights into the making of the film, the people involved, images, contact and other information for press.
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