Lahaina, HI - June 17th, 2024 - The Trilogy ‘Ohana is thrilled to announce that their short documentary "Trilogy: It's in the Heart" by Pacific Story Tellers has won the prestigious 53rd Annual Northern California Area Emmy® Award in the Documentary - Topical category.

Directed by storyteller and filmmaker Stephan Boeker of Pacific Story Tellers, this captivating movie chronicles the legacy of the Sailing Coon family, highlighting their values of family, hard work, trust, and perseverance.

Since its soft-release last summer, Trilogy: It’s in the Heart has garnered international attention and won significant awards. Most recently and notably, the short film has won an Emmy® Award in the Documentary - Topical Category.

"We are overjoyed and deeply honored to receive this prestigious award…This recognition is a testament that excellent storytelling isn’t just accessible to bigger budget continental TV and film production companies, but is within reach of any passionate storyteller who stumbles upon remarkable people with a remarkable story to tell. The Coon family and their venerable Trilogy Excursions certainly has that story to tell.”-Stephan Boeker, Director

Trilogy: It's in the Heart delves into the heartfelt dream of Captain Eldon Coon, who aspired to build a sailboat with his two sons, explore the world as a family, and share the joy of sailing with others on Maui.

This film offers a compelling narrative of how the Sailing Coon 'Ohana and their celebrated Maui-based business, Trilogy Excursions, took shape half a century ago. It showcases their fearless decision to risk everything, including their home, jobs, community, and stability, in pursuit of a dream that involved living on a sailboat and providing guests who visit maui with a memorable day trip and sailing experience from Maui to the island of Lanai.

For AWARD updates visit:
https://itsintheheart.com/

Trilogy: It's in the Heart was previewed by an exclusive audience on May 6th, 2023, during Trilogy Excursions' 50th Anniversary celebration at the iconic Old Lahaina Lu‘au in West Maui. Since then,  it has been submitted to film and is currently in consideration for film festivals worldwide.

Jim Coon, co-founder of Trilogy Excursions, expressed his emotions after witnessing the premiere, stating, "Watching our story unfold on the big screen was a profoundly moving experience. As I sat down with Stephan to retell our journey, it became clear that divine guidance had always been with us. We didn't have a clue what the future held, but our wanderlust and faith kept propelling us forward. When we arrived in Maui, it instantly felt like home."

Trilogy Excursions embarked on its inaugural voyage on July 5th, 1973, taking six guests from Maui to Lāna'i for an eight-hour excursion. Throughout the day guests were treated like family, enjoying home-cooked meals, starting with Jeannette's (Eldon's wife and Matriarch of Trilogy) fresh-baked cinnamon rolls in the morning, followed by Eldon's mouthwatering teriyaki grilled chicken, tossed green salad, and noodle stir-fry in the afternoon. Meanwhile, Eldon's sons Jim and Randy, led guests on informative snorkeling adventures from Hulopo'e Beach and shared captivating stories about Lana'i and their seafaring experiences. By the end of the day, the six guests had formed lifelong friendships and eagerly pledged to return for another unforgettable sailing expedition with the Coon family.

Randy Coon fondly recalled his father's words, saying, "Our dad would always tell us, 'Sons, if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life,' and it's absolutely true! The boating business is hard work but when you have the passion, your work is fun and rewarding" Randy concluded, flashing a smile. 

Trilogy Excursions invites viewers to experience the heartfelt journey of the Coon family by watching Trilogy: It's in the Heart. For more information and updates about the film awards, please visit https://itsintheheart.com/.

About Trilogy Excursions, Inc. 

Trilogy Excursions is a pioneering sailing company founded in 1973 by the Coon family in Maui, Hawaii. With their unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service, Trilogy Excursions has created lifelong memories that span the generations for countless guests from around the world. They are best known for their snorkel and sunset boat tours along with their flagship tour, “Discover Lanai”. For more information, please visit https://sailtrilogy.com/.

Flashbacks from the 50th party:

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