Hikianalia Update | Feb 1, 2016 – Molokai

Native by nature, Molokai has proven to be a natural fit for everything waʻa related, and the hundreds of visitors who’ve visited Hikianalia during the past week certainly attest to this! Stewarded by Molokai ʻOhana Waʻa, the friendly isle has been home to Hikianalia and an official stop of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage for the past week.

Today she hosted a bunch of local kids who came down to the waʻa to learn about voyaging first-hand from ‘Ohana Wa’a Molokai crewmembers that include ’76 Hōkūleʻa crewmember Penny Martin and Worldwide Voyage crewmember Mahinahou Ross among more than a dozen new crewmembers in training.

“It was awesome to be with the keiki, whether they were climbing in the bunks, sharing how they mālama honua, or just hearing moʻolelo from our ʻohana who have already sailed on past voyages,” said crewmember-in-training Noelani Yamashita. “Hikianalia helps connect us not only to those who have come before us, but to the rest of Hawaiʻi and the world.”

Totalling more than 100 young visitors, Hikianalia crewmembers hosted Hawaiian immersion students from Kualapuʻu Elementary School as well as classes from Akaula School. Students had the chance to learn about non-instrument wayfinding, knot tying, Hawaiian waʻa protocol and life aboard the waʻa first-hand as they toured above and below deck of the canoe.

The day’s visits topped off a full week of outreach and training that included Molokai’s 35th annual Makahiki festivities and visits from hundreds of residents and visitors. The week also served as a send-off for Hōkūleʻa crewmember Kawika Crivello who was recently designated as Molokai’s ‘Ohana Wa’a captain and will be departing later this week to join the Worldwide Voyage in Brazil. There he will be relieving Molokai crewmember Lohiao Paoa, son of recently passed Captain Mel Paoa, who will be completing the Africa to Brazil portion of the Worldwide Voyage.

Hikianalia is scheduled to depart Molokai this Thursday. She will sail to Maui and is expected to return to Oʻahu on Friday.

We would like to thank Molokai Youth Center, Tutu & Me, Punana Leo o Molokai Preschool, Kaunakakai Elementary School, Molokai Middle School UPLINK group, Molokai High School 21st. Century Community Learning group, Kamehameha Schools Maui, Hana High and Elementary School, Princess Nahienaena Elementary School and all the teachers and chaperones who helped make outreach programs fun, informative and safe.

We would also like to thank ʻOhana Waʻa Molokai and their respective families for your countless volunteer hours and commitment to Hikianalia’s outreach programs and anchor watches. Lastly, mahalo to the Polynesian Voyaging Society for the foresight and coordination to share Hikianalia with the Molokai community, and for including each of us as part of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage – mahalo!

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