Hikianalia Update | East Hawaiʻi Outreach

Written by Kaimana Bacarse

As Hikianalia made her way from Maui to Moku O Keawe, the welcoming committee and ʻOhana Waʻa Hawaiʻi Island hosted an Education Day on February 19, 2016 for over 300 students and adults with participants from 2nd grade thru college, coming from as far as Kona.  Four learning stations quickly grew into a dozen, including: Hikianalia/Mālama Honua Info Station, Star Compass lessons, Parts of the canoe game, Hōkūleʻa Sleeping quarters replica and foulie/gear try-on, 6 knot tying stations, Bust-a-bundle rope teamwork game,  Canoe tours & sail setting (smaller canoes), Lawaiʻa (Fishing game), Marine awareness & touch tank hosted by UHH Keaholoa, CPR & First Aid skills and challenge tent, Rescue techniques, and skills games hosted by ʻOhana Waʻa safety trainers, and a Ke Ana Laʻahana PCS Hōʻike student project tent.

As part our our design and intention to have an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and sharing, most of our stations were manned by voyaging students and supported by Kumu.  These amazing students came from Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo, and Ke Ana Laʻahana schools.  

On February 20, 2016, we welcomed Hikianalia into Hilo Bay – she made her grand entrance at the exact time our Community Day festivities kicked off (Mahalo Captain Bob for the perfect timing!).  She was greeted by pū and oli from the bluff overlooking Kanukuokamanō, the entrance into the Wailoa river; then another greeting at the pier of pū an oli again with a response for the holokai of Hikianalia.  Our preliminary numbers from our team of volunteers and community members estimates 500 attendees, with about 300 who participated in canoe tours aboard Hikianalia.  We also had a star compass lesson, knot tying stations, live music and an Aloha ʻĀina tent, again with high student involvement in the sharing.

Mahalo to all for helping to make this 2-day engagement so successful!

Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Kaimana, on behalf of the welcoming committee & ʻOhana Waʻa Hawaii Island

For upcoming Hikianalia events on Hawai’i Island, visit our Event Page.

Photos by Kaimana Bacarse

Crossing North

After a 20-month sojourn in oceans south of the equator, Hōkūleʻa has returned to the northern hemisphere in the blue waters of the Atlantic. Please, help celebrate our crew by supporting their journey.

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