Canoe Tours at Nawiliwili / by Dennis Chun

Septebmer 25-October 1, 2000

Students try the steering paddle with crew member 'Imaikalani Aiu.

Since the canoe has arrived here on Kauai, there has been an excited interest which has brought the communities of Kauai to visit the Hokulea. During the first week of Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, Nawiliwili was the first port in which Hokulea visited. This brought many kupuna who felt touched by the accomplishments of Hokulea to see first hand this vessel which represented their not too distant past. For many, it was a time of joy, celebration, and reminiscing of their ancestors. Photo: Kupuna Sarah Kailikea.

During this first week in Nawiliwili, over 551 students, 33 teachers, and 40 volunteers had first hand contact with Hokulea and its crew. Some of the volunteers came from the Hawaiian Studies classes of Kauai High School who also worked on and displayed various art forms that they had produced.

Crew members volunteered their time and energy in talking about Hokulea, what it has meant to them, how the canoe operates, life onboard, and its relationship to culture, the environment, and life values that served the ancient Hawaiians well in surviving on limited resources. Photos: (1) Students visiting Hokule'a.

While part of a group visited onboard the canoe, the other portion of the class participated in a dockside presentation led by Kaliko Amona and other Malama Hawaii organizations such as the Nawiliwili Watershed Organization which spoke of the Hawaiian environment and its importance with not only voyaging, but in modern society. Photo: On-shore Presentation / Kaliko Amona talks to students about Hawai'i's endangered wildlife.