Canoe Tours at 'Ele'ele (Port Allen) / by Dennis Chun

October 1-14, 2000

Ke Kula Ni'ihau o Kekaha chants to Hokule'a and the crew

At the end of September, Hokulea sailed over to the westside of Kauai and docked in Port Allen. For the next two weeks, Oct. 1 - 14, Hokulea provided a focal point for that community. Led by Joy Canute and many others, a warm welcome, many supportive families, and excited children were the order of the day. The volunteers and crew of Hokulea provided tours for over1109 school children and 55 teachers; 195 volunteers participated. Of course, these numbers only represent documented school and volunteer sign in sheets. There were hundreds more that visited the canoe and "talked story" with crew throughout the day and into the night.

Photos: (1) Ke Kula Ni'ihau o Kekaka gets ready to board Hokule'a; (2) Veteran crew member John Kruse explains to students how to steer Hokule'a; (3) Meanwhile, on shore, Kaliko Amona talks to students about the threat of an alien species--a snake--to Hawai'i's wildlife; (4) Another class of keiki visits Hokule'a; (5) Students try out the sleeping quarters; (6) Near to 'Ele'ele, the famous salt flats of Hanapepe; (7) Hua Duncan shows the salt.