Hokule'a Statewide Sail on Kaua'i

by Kaliko Amona, Malama Hawai'i Education Intern

Kaliko talking to students about snakes.

Hokule'a's Statewide sail began on the oldest of our islands, Kaua'i. Several community members came to greet Hokule'a as she entered Kalapaki Bay on September 23, 2000.

In the time that Hokule'a was on Kaua'i, we hosted well over 3,000 school children for tours with their classes. Many of the classes offered ho'okupu and chanted or danced songs they learned with their teachers and kupuna. The kids learned of Hokule'a's history and about daily life during a typical voyage.

While waiting for their classmates to finish the tour, children learned of Malama Hawai'i's guiding values and some of Kaua'i's endangered species and the alien pests that threaten them. In Lihu'e, the Nawiliwili Bay Watershed Council teamed up with us by giving the children presentations on the many sources of water pollution in the area.

Classes from Kaua'i Community College also came to visit Hokule'a. From ethnobotany to physics, these students showed the range of subjects that could be learned on the canoe.

After school tours finished, the public was welcome to come. Many children brought their parents and siblings after coming with their class earlier in the day. These kids often were able to give the tours by themselves! Several tourists also came to see Hokule'a. For many of them, it was their first time hearing about voyaging or non-instrument navigation.

During the evenings, volunteers helped by bringing dishes for dinner and often stayed for hours of music and talking story. One of the most enjoyable evenings was in Lihu'e when some of Kaua'i Community Correctional Center's low-security inmates came to visit and tour the canoe. They brought gifts of kalo and other foods grown in KCCC's garden and ended up staying for dinner. Hokule'a's ability to inspire people was especially clear on this night.

On other evenings in Lihu'e and 'Ele'ele, halau hula and high school Hawaiian clubs joined us for dinner. Some even stayed as "security" overnight, getting a rare chance to sleep under the stars on Hokule'a.

Two "talk story" sessions on Kaua'i allowed the public to hear first-hand accounts of past voyages from long-time crew members John Kruse, Dr. Pat Aiu, and Dennis Chun. One of these took place in Hanalei as part of the Kaua'i Taro Festival. The other was at the Borders Books and Music store in Lihu'e.

As we prepared to leave Hanalei, school groups and other locals helped to celebrate Hokule'a's departure. Many of the children brought lei and offered chants and songs to the crew and canoe. They also observed the 'awa ceremony held to bless Hokule'a and the crew on their way to our next stop: Hawai'i island. We hope to see some of you there!

Mahalo to Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, Wilcox Hospital, and all the other organizations, families, and individuals that helped to make our stay on Kaua'i an incredible one!