Upamanyu Biswas
In Netflix’s ‘Shark Whisperer,’ we dive into the underwater world of shark conservation through the eyes of Ocean Ramsey, a conservationist who showcases the complexities involved in preserving an apex predator species that inspires terror in most humans. The documentary tries to detail the hurdles faced by marine animals like sharks, emphasizing the balance needed to spread the love for these creatures while also being aware of the threat they pose. Intriguingly, we get a full glimpse into this dichotomy through the experiences of Keoni Bowthorpe, a Hawaiian resident who lived through a shark incident that made him understand the two sides of the argument. Bowthorpe displayed incredible heroics when a terrible shark attack led to a young man’s life being put in considerable danger, turning him into an instant legend.
Keoni Bowthorpe is a Filmmaker With a Keen Interest in Sharks
Keoni TeTawa Bowthorpe grew up on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawai’i, where he fostered a passion for filmmaking, including skills such as photography, direction, and screenwriting. After graduating from Elk Grove High School, Bowthorpe initially enrolled at a community college before shifting to the University of California, Berkeley, for a degree in accountancy. However, he veered away from this path, instead deciding to get a Bachelor of Arts degree in Directing at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. While he primarily focused on sharpening his direction skills in his formative years, he also picked up valuable experience in shooting underwater videos, cinematography, editing, and aerial cinematography. He took his first step in realizing his moviemaking dreams by working on music videos.
Like Ocean Ramsey, Bowthorpe shares a passion for nature, especially in capturing the marvels of the underwater world. He has worked in varying capacities for projects that feature underwater sections, showcasing his expertise in working with marine life and navigating the challenges and intricacies of life beneath the waves. Bowthorpe’s primary interest lies in drawing attention to ocean megafauna, specifically sharks. Since his fledgling years as a director, Bowthorpe has helmed documentaries such as ‘Saving Jaws,’ working alongside Ramsey in helping combat the negative stereotype of sharks as “monsters.” In 2015, Ramsey and her husband, Juan Oliphant, showed him how to redirect a shark’s attention by pushing them gently away with his free hand. This simple but invaluable skill was a game-changer for filming live sharks in the water.
Keoni Bowthorpe Saved a Man From a Shark’s Clutches
In October 2015, Keoni Bowthorpe got involved in a terrifying shark incident that would go on to change his life. When a surfboard builder named Colin Cook was surfing in the Pacific Ocean around 600 feet away from the shore of Haleiwa, Hawaii, a tiger shark rose out of the water and attacked Cook, clamping onto his left leg just above the knee. The attack severed his leg and also left him with injuries to his hand. Bowthorpe, who was 33 at the time, witnessed the incident around 500 feet away while standing on a paddle board in the water. He approached Cook, who had somehow climbed back onto the board after the attack, leaving the water around him bloody. After seeing that the shark was still prowling the area, the filmmaker used one end of his paddle to push it away.
Although the shark remained an issue, Bowthorpe focused his attention on Cook, bringing him over to his board and carrying him on his back while he himself lay prone. Subsequently, he began waddling back towards shore with as much strength as he could muster. The trip was made all the more nerve-wracking and frightening because of Cook’s bleeding foot, which likely continued to draw the shark. Bowthorpe reportedly felt his hands brush against the shark’s sandpaper-like skin while he was waddling towards safety. Although the journey back was made all the more complicated by the strenuous factors, the duo survived. Cook was provided immediate treatment at the hospital and was later fitted with a prosthetic leg. Meanwhile, for his heroics, Bowthorpe was awarded the Andrew Carnegie Hero Medal in Hawaii in 2016.
Keoni Bowthorpe Lives a Fulfilling Family Life Today
While work and career ambitions form a big part of Keoni Bowthorpe’s life, the filmmaker also prioritizes a deeper connection with his cultural roots and family life in general. Bowthorpe met his wife, Ashley, at a rock show he was attending while still studying. They dated each other for a few years, learning more about what they value in each other’s lives. However, this all culminated in the pair finally sealing the deal by getting married, following which they moved to the Bay Area in San Francisco, California. During his college years, she was an invaluable support and had a pivotal influence over his career choice. In fact, it was upon her advice that Bowthorpe shifted his focus from a career in accountancy to a life in the creative world, specifically as a filmmaker.
As per Bowthorpe’s own admission, his wife, Ashley, told him to stop pursuing the “typical adult path” and strive for happiness. In an interview, he quoted her words, saying, “‘We don’t need money. We just need happy.’ She’s a wise one.” While things were far from easy despite the realization, the pair supported each other through thick and thin, ensuring that they found success in some capacity or another. They eventually went on to have three children, whose thoughts filled his mind during the harrowing 2015 encounter where he had to save Colin Cook’s life. The filmmaker is grateful that his kids won’t have to deal with the same struggles he and his wife had to brave together while trying to forge a stable life. Today, Bowthorpe and Ashley are collaborators even beyond their life at home. “She and I are writing partners, producing partners, etc., etc., etc.,” he said.
Keoni Bowthorpe Continues to Bring More Stories to the Screen
Keoni Bowthorpe’s work in the Hollywood industry has gone from strength to strength through the years, showcasing his growth as a storyteller. His nature documentary ‘Saving Jaws’ earned him the Best Cinematography accolade at the Cannes International Independent Film Festival (СIIFF) in 2020. Since then, Bowthorpe has worked as the underwater director of photography on the documentary movie ‘Envoy: Shark Cull’ in 2021, a project that probes into Australia’s government shark control program. He has also contributed as a camera operator on Netflix’s ‘Cheer,’ a sports television docuseries centered on athletes being trained for the highest level by a demanding coach. His other notable credits include ‘The Last Words,’ ‘Hello Sunday,’ ‘The Best of Studio C,’ ‘The Piece Maker,’ and ‘Heart of Invictus.’
Bowthorpe has more projects lined up in the future, such as ‘The Legendary Bear Lake Monster,’ ‘Orphan Myth,’ and ‘Untapped,’ illustrating his commitment to his craft, either as a director, camera operator, or director of photography. He also appears as a guest in ‘Shark Whisperer,’ highlighting his experiences while filming sharks and his bravery in saving Colin Cook’s life. When not working actively, Bowthorpe spends his time traveling to distant parts of the world, capturing the unique wildlife present in these regions. To that end, he has been to places such as Eswatini in Southern Africa and visited India in both 2023 and 2024. Today, he lives in Haleiwa, Hawaii, with his wife and three kids, spreading time equally between work, travel, and private time with the family, which keeps him energized for the next big project in his path.
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