Remember Morning Light, the blazing Transpac 52-foot sloop that carried the youngest team ever across the ocean last year? Fifteen high school and college students were selected from hundreds of applicants to train with the most revered sailors in the world for six months, and complete the 2,500-mile ocean race from Los Angeles to Honolulu for a documentary film. After shooting in Hawaii and California for months, Roy Disney's “;Morning Light”; is set for national release Oct. 17. A one-hour special on the selection process that resulted in the final crew will air at 3 p.m. Wednesday and again at 7 p.m. Thursday on ESPN2.

Executive producers (and sometime Honolulu residents) Disney and Leslie DeMeuse, along with Punahou grad and “;Morning Light”; star Mark Towill, will come back into town for a premiere/fundraiser event to benefit the Hawaii Sailing Foundation and the Polynesian Voyaging Society on Oct. 16.

I'm excited about this film after interviewing several of the team members and joining them for a relatively mellow on-camera training session last year. In preparation, Olympic sailing gold medalist (and former neighbor) Robbie Haines asked me if I was comfortable on boats. I used to host a television show about diving and the ocean. No problem! Two hours into the excursion on the sleek watercraft packed with sailing luminaries, Robbie sat down and slapped his hand on my knee. “;How ya doin'?”; he chuckled.

Briefly, I considered asking him to throw me overboard, but my dry, swollen tongue would not separate from the roof of my mouth to form words. Diamond Head loomed in the distance. I could swim to shore, couldn't I? And if a shark nibbled me along the way, it wouldn't matter. Death was looming anyway.

Even though a real sailor lost his lunch off the bow, I managed to keep mine in check - barely. Along the way, I learned a lot and left with a deep appreciation for a sport I simply cannot do.

Watch the movie trailer at disney.go.com/disneypictures/morninglight ...

  Warrior fans already know this, but for those who haven't heard, Koolau Stadium 10 in Kaneohe is screening all University of Hawaii football games live on the big screen. It started last weekend and continues through the end of the season. Why fight traffic? Hear the grunts and tackles in Dolby surround sound! And savor a “;McMackin' Meal”; (large popcorn, hot dog and a medium drink) in air con.

Tickets cost $10 per person. Families or groups can get a Warrior Pass, which includes four tickets for $35 (not available online). The theater seats only 134 people, so plan ahead. Purchase tickets early at the box office, visit. www.consolidatedtheatres.com or call (800) 326-3264 ...

  Kapolei resident and professional surfer Hanna Cornett landed a role in a new movie called “;Surfer, Dude”; with Matthew McConaughey, according to the Associated Press. She completes a few stunts and also earned a speaking part as one of the star's girlfriends. The flick is slated for limited theatrical release, with the DVD set for December release.