"Hokule'a" - A small vessel on a very big mission.

We cannot begin to tell the whole amazing story of the voyaging vessel the Hokule'a here in this small space, but we will provide you with a link so you can learn more about this incredible story, not only of Hawai'i culture but linking all of Polynesia with the world!! Story of Hokule'a .

Here's a teaser from the above article:

  Hōkūleʻa, our Star of Gladness, began as a dream of reviving the legacy of exploration, courage, and ingenuity that brought the first Polynesians to the archipelago of Hawaiʻi. The canoes that brought the first Hawaiians to their island home had disappeared from earth. Cultural extinction felt dangerously close to many Hawaiians when artist Herb Kane dreamed of rebuilding a double-hulled sailing canoe similar to the ones that his ancestors sailed. 

Navigational stones - "Maka o Hule" Heiau (Tom Bentley)

Hokule'a recently returned to Hawai'i after a outrageous and exciting three-year adventure around the world. Even before we moved here, we unexpectedly discovered ancient navigational stones while on a hike on the north west side of the island and we began to learn about this inspiring cultural renaissance.

This vessel navigates ONLY using ancient traditional methods, following the stars, wave patterns, wind and knowledge of sailing dating back to ancient Polynesians.

Ho'okupu (blessing/offering) lei that Lunel made for
Holuke'a with orchids and yellow ohia from our yard

This week we had a wonderful close-up-and personal visit while Hokule'a was moored in Hilo. We joined excited school kids, locals and tourists dockside listening to stories about every facet of life aboard a wa'a (double hulled canoe.)

Standing along side I was struck by both how small and large she seemed. A small world traveling over vast oceans, carrying, feeding, protecting and guiding all the souls in her care. And, yet how very big her heart -- carrying the spirit of all Hawai'i with her on her long journey.

Makali'i (Pleiades) Surprise

Our June adventure for Phil’s 75^th birthday offered us a lovely variety of sites, but perhaps none more surprising than unexpectedly meeting “Shorty” Bertelmann.  Shorty was actually an apprentice on the inaugural first voyage of the Hokule'a in 1976 as a young man. His passionate involvement over many decades includes many years of training and teaching. He was the celestial navigator for the 1995 voyage to Tahiti and Marquesas.  

"Shorty" President of Na Kalai Wa'a

The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) and the journey of the “Hokule’a” has certainly made international news during their 3-year world tour using ancient navigational practices that were nearly lost over the last centuries.

Hokule'a world-wide tour 

This cross-cultural renaissance, begun in the 1970’s, has a quieter but equally valuable story here on the Big Island. Two paniolo (cowboy) brothers up in the expansively beautiful cattle country of Waimea wanted to be sure that the cultural heritage of celestial navigation continued to be taught.  “Na Kalai Wa’a” (The Canoe Carvers) was formed in 1993 as a non-profit educational organization by Clay and “Shorty” Bertelmann.

Although we had read this month’s issue of the Big Island’s “Ke Ola” magazine that featured a story about Makali'i -- we could not have anticipated our good fortune to actually meet “Shorty” and volunteers as they were working to retrofit the “Makali’i” (Pleiades) originally built in 1994. Phil and Shorty had a good talk-story and Phil's gifted him one of his hand carved fish.

"He wa'a he moku; He moku he wa'a"

(A canoe is an island; an island is a canoe -- or, on the sea the canoe operates as a whole community, sustaining its people as an island sustains a community.)

Read more about the Makali'i


(Photos shared are from variety of sources:  PVS, KeOla and Big Island Talk-Story)

"The Eddie" Hawaii 2016

When we first visited the Big Island in 2011, we noticed a bumper sticker that said "Eddie Would Go" and found it so intriguing we had to find out more.  What we found was not just the story of one amazing man -- but a deeply moving story about Hawaiian heritage and culture. (We are writing this mostly for folks back on the mainland who may know nothing about this event, person or cultural history.) 

As one of the most respected names in surfing, "Eddie" (Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau May 4, 1946 – March 17, 1978) was the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay on Oahu, saving many lives. He also was the first lifeguard to work the North Short where, during his watch, not a single life was lost.

Hokule'a

"Eddie" became involved in perpetuating his Hawaiian heritage. In 1976, the Polynesian Voyaging Society sailed the Hokule'a on a successful 30-day, 2500 mile journey following the ancient route of the Polynesian migration, using celestial navigation, between the Hawaiian and Tahitian islands. In 1978, a second voyage of the traditional sailing canoe was planned. At 31 years of age, Aikau was selected for this voyage as a crew member.

We held our collective breath -- watching these 60 foot waves!

The Hokule'a left the Hawaiian Islands on March 16, 1978. The double-hulled voyaging canoe developed a leak in one of the hulls and later capsized in stormy weather about twelve miles south of the island of Molokai. In an attempt to get to land to save his crew and the Hokule'a, Aikau paddled toward Lanai on his surfboard. Hours later a commercial airplane spotted the Hokule'a and the rest of the crew was soon rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Aikau was missing at sea. Despite great search efforts "Eddie" was never seen again.

Held at Waimea Bay, "The Eddie" sponsored by Quicksilver, has not happened in many years because the conditions have to be perfect -- HUGE waves -- and the worldwide competition is by invitation only. For SEVEN years the waves have not been good enough to be called "The Eddie" but just last week we were blessed with stunning waves, rides and wipe outs.

CLICK LINK TO SEE LIVE SHOTS (hold your breath!) Quick Silver In Memory Eddie Aikau

CLICK LINK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY AND "HOKULE'A" :  Hokule'a Voyage

(The info here has been edited from a variety of sources including Wikipedia, Eddie Aikau Foundation, and other articles.)