PVS Newsletter / Makali‘i (November-December) 1993
First Sea Trials for Hawai‘i Loa Completed; Modifications Begin
On October 22, 1993, the double-hulled canoe Hawai'l Loa was taken out of the ocean for modifications for the 1995 voyage from Nuku Hiva to Hawai'i which will reenact an early voyage of settlement to Hawai'i.
The 57-foot canoe proved maika'i during its sea trial, pointing high into the wind a-nd riding high in the water. Modifications will mainly involve weight reduction. Wright Bowman, Jr., Wally Froiseth and Nainoa Thompson, who are overseeing the modifications, plan to take over 3 tons off the 15.5 ton canoe, by cutting more wood from the hulls, the manu, the 'iako, the wae (braces for lashing the 'iako), the gunwale strakes, the mast step, and the decking.
Bow: lightening the Hawai‘i Loa
The lighter the canoe, the higher it will ride in the water, the more weight it will carry safely, the faster it will move, and the less stress it will put on its lashings.
Traditional sennit proved to be a better lashing material than manila hemp. During the sea trials, the sennit lashings remained tight; the hemp lashings loosened because of stretching. If enough sennit can be acquired within the next few months, all the lashings will be done with sennit.
PVS plans to have the canoe back into the ocean by June, 1994, to begin a new set of sea trials and crew and navigator training for the 1995 voyage.
1992 Voyage, No Na Mamo, “For the Children”: 2. Sailing in Tahiti; Visit to Taputapuatea, on the island of Ra‘iatea.
Current & Upcoming Programs of the Polynesian Voyaging Society
The following programs are designed to further the mission and goals of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. The progra.tns can be divided into two broad categories: (1) research to recover Hawaiian voyaging traditions; (2) education to perpetuate those traditions in meaningful ways in the modern world.
Canoe Construction and Maintenance
The purpose of the canoe construction and maintenance programs is to recover and relearn knowledge, skills, and traditions about the building of traditional Hawaiian ocean voyaging canoes and about Hawai'i's voyaging heritage. Apprentices learn from experts. The program includes modifications of Hawai'i Loa and Eala and maintenance on Hokule‘s. Wala will be leased for 5 years from the Wal'anae Hawaiian Civic Club for use in PVS educational programs.
Navigator and Crew Training for the Voyage 1995
The purpose of the navigator and crew training programs is to recover and relearn voyaging knowledge, skills' and traditions and to create cultural experts in voyaging who can serve as resource people and teachers in educational programs about voyaging. Included in the training is a voyage to the Doldrums in March-April 1994. The goal is to train navigators who will provide the leadership and expertise needed for a safe voyage from Nuku Hiva to Hawai'i in 95.
Exploration Learning Sail--Kona
The exploration learning sail is a coffaborative effort between PVS and the State Department of Education. Students in a Konawaena High School Nautical Science Course will sail E‘ala up the Kona Coast in May 1995. The program will involve learning about the land and sea from both scientific and cultural points of view. The voyage will be presented as a metaphor for life and students will learn a process of achieving a goal, a process which they can apply in their lives. This process involves (1) envisioning a goal or destination; (2) identifying the knowledge, survival skiffs, and materials and supplies needed to achieve the goal; (3) designing a plan to achieve the goal; defining roles, reaching consensus on questions and issues, and working together toward the goal; (4) preparing themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually for survival; (5) taking a risk to carry out the plan, modifying it as needed in response to changing circumstances. The program will be a model for future PVS educational programs.
West Coast Tour
In June-July, 1994, Hokule‘a will sail from Juneau to San Diego, with stops in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. A joint effort of the State of Hawai'i (Department of Business and Economic Development), HMC, PVS, and others, this trip will allow PVS to advance its goal of informing the public about Hawai'i's voyaging heritage, this time to a mainland audience, particularly the Hawaiian communities (civic clubs, halau, and other organizations) on the West Coast and the native Alaskan, Canadian, and American tribes.
The educational activities, including a canoe tour and a slide show, will be designed to increase the understanding and appreciation of (1) the achievements of ancient and modern Polynesian voyagers; (2) the values, arts, and practices that enabled ancient voyagers to explore and settle Polynesia successfully, and (3) the materials and implements used to build canoes.
All Members are Invited To: The Annual Membership Meeting: Friday, January 28, 1994 6:00 p.m., Pier 36 Honolulu Harbor (Enter through Pier 35)
AGENDA
- Chant and Pule: Leina'ala Kalama Heine
- PVS Progress Report: President Myron "Pinky" Thompson
- Treasurer's Report: Virginia Elliot
- Board of Directors' Nominations Report: Keali‘ipu‘aimoku Froiseth
- Tour of Hawal'i Loa, Hokule‘a, and E‘ala: Wallace Froiseth
- Video Presentation
- Refreshments
PVS Officers and Board of Directors
Officers: Myron "Pinky" Thompson, President; Kapua Lindo, Vice President; Virginia Elliott, Treasurer
Directors: Gilbert Ane, Moku Froiseth, Wally Froiseth, Harry Ho, Rey Jonsson, Eric Martinson, Jerry Muller, Laura Thompson, Michael Tongg, Nathan Wong, Bob Worthington, August Yee
Consultant: Ben Finney