Drydock Update: Jan. 31, 2002

Hokule'a Dry Dock: "It takes an ahupua'a to launch a canoe." In preparation for upcoming voyaging, Hokule'a was in dry dock at Pier 60 (Friends of Hokule'a and Hawai'iloa Workshop on Sand Island) from Dec 7, 2001 to Dec. 23, 2002. The project Coordinator was Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld; the on-site manager was crew member Russell Amimoto.

January 31, 2002 Update / Ka'iulani Murphy: During a marine survey of Hokule'a dry rot was found in the hull. Workers have been repairing the the dry rot. Both manu have been removed and will also be patched inside. Because of the extensive work to repair this problem, we expect to be in dry dock until July. During the first eight weeks of dry dock, 753 volunteer hours have been logged on the canoe, not including the individuals and groups who have taken parts of the canoe to work on independently at other sites. With the recent heavy rains, dry dock hasn't been so dry and work was cancelled because the work site was under several inches of water. Volunteers should call the office when it is raining heavily.

Support from Ke'ehi Marine Center (KMC): One of the businesses supporting the dry dock of Hokule'a is Ke'ehi Marine Center, a marina and a boatyard facility on Sand Island for both commercial and pleasure boats. The boatyard has a max capacity of 15-16 boats, from small sailing boats to big long line fishing vessels. On Dec 7 2001 boatyard donated its time and services to haul out Hokule'a for drydock. In the past, KMC has helped PVS generously by hauling out Hokule'a and donating space in the boatyard for dry dock. Before 1999-2000 Rapa Nui voyage, Hokule'a was out for 3 months at KMC and before the 2000-2001 statewide it was there for 3 weeks.

Yoshi Muraoka, the administrative director at KMC, was born in Japan, grew up in New York, went to college in San Diego, moved to Hawai'i, and worked downtown as an accountant (CPA). When asked why KMC donates it services, he said they realize the importance and value of the canoe to the community. Yoshi says they will continue to support PVS, doing anything they can to help. The crew at Ke'ehi Marine includes Frank Gibert operations manager, Paul Cobb-Adams, Jim Leveille, and Carlos Lopez. Modrel Keju, originally from the Marshall Islands, works in the office and enjoys meeting the variety of people that come through the facility.

Feb. 28, 2002 Update / Ka'iulani Murphy: After 12 weeks of dry dock, we've logged a total of about 1120 hours of volunteer work on Hokule'a. (not including individuals who have canoe parts at another workshop.) Thanks to our many volunteers, we are putting on the last few coats of varnish on the railings, 'iako and other parts of the canoe. We will be getting ready to lash these pieces of the canoe back together. This week dry rot repairs on the port hull will be getting a final coat of fiberglass. Mahalo nui to numerous school groups who have come to help malama Hokule'a. New Hawaiian cutlure-based charter schools such as Hakipu'u Learning Center, Halau Lokahi and Halau Ku Mana have dedicated at least a day a week to work at dry dock. Students from Wai'anae High School, Ocean Learning Academy, Kamehameha, Punahou, 'Iolani, Windward Community College, and St. Mary's College of California have also come to help on the canoe. Japanese students in a waterman seminar here on O'ahu commit one day a week of their six-week program to work on Hokule'a. Individual volunteers have also been an enormous help. Mahalo to our committed volunteers Katherine Fuller, Ann-Marie Mizuno, and Starr Johnson who have spent day after day working on the canoe. We wouldn't be where we are today without the help of all our volunteers whose time and efforts are greatly appreciated.

May 30, 2002 Update / by Ka'iulani Murphy: We are nearing the end of May and 6 months of Hokule'a being out of the water. Over 2,000 hours of volunteer work have been logged on-site within that time. In addition to the regular work schedule, help is needed on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 to lash parts of the canoe. Russell Amimoto and Keao Meyer are working on dry rot repairs in the starboard hull as well as the manu ihu, with help from Jerry Ongais, Jay Dowsett, and Kevin San Miguel. Jerry Ongais is currently raising the inboard rails as well. With all the repair work that is being done and the continued support of volunteers, the canoe will be ready to launch at the end of July. Mahalo Nui Loa to all the volunteers who are helping to take care of Hokule'a!

Sept. 9 , 2002 Update / Ka'iulani Murphy: Hokule'a is now expected to be in dry dock until December due to the extensive dry rot repairs. The outer side of the starboard hull has been repaired and re-glassed, and is nearly ready to be lashed and painted. Russell has recently completed the inside of the starboard manu ihu and will begin work inside of the hull compartments. Dry rot will be removed from these compartments where food and water are stored during voyages. A big mahalo to those who continue to support this enormous project and to all the new faces that have shown an interest to kokua. Lashing on Wednesday nights at 6:00 is continuing and volunteers are encouraged to come down to learn and help.

Oct. 30 , 2002 Update / Ka'iulani Murphy: Two months remaining in drydock and volunteers are needed to continue with big lashings and start putting Hokule'a back together again. Currently we are working on lashings Monday and Wednesday nights at 6 pm as well as on Saturdays. Help is appreciated on these days especially--and mahalo to all who have been dedicating their time and energy to the canoe. Both manu ihu are back on Hokule'a and a beautiful new coat of paint covers the completed dry rot repairs.

Dec. 23 , 2002: Hokule'a was placed back into the ocean at the Ke'ehi Marine Center and towed to the Marine Education Center/Honolulu Community College, where she was blessed.