Governor, Mayor and delegation of Hawaiʻi leaders join West Oʻahu in welcoming the voyaging canoe, and in honoring “Uncle Buffalo,” Keaulana

Amidst ideal conditions, more than 1,000 people from West Oʻahu and beyond made their way to the sunny shores of Pokaʻi Bay today to greet arriving crewmembers aboard Hōkūleʻa and sister canoe Hikianalia. The contingency of voyagers brings to Waiʻanae the Mahalo Hawaiʻi, Sail to share lessons learned from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and deepen the understanding of important cultural, environmental and educational work being done in the West Oʻahu community and throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Following the canoes’ arrival and subsequent cultural ceremonies, Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige joined with Mayor Kirk Caldwell and master navigator Nainoa Thompson in a special ceremony honoring “Uncle Buffalo,” Keaulana, a living-legend and world class waterman who was an original 1976 crewmember of Hōkūleʻa. They made not particular note of his life-long contributions to the people of the Waiʻanae Coast. Senator Maile Shimabukuro, Representative Cedric Asuega Gates and Representative Andria Tupolu were also present in the honoring of Keaulana.

In a written statement, University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner announced creation of the Buffalo and Momi Keaulana Endowed Scholarship Fund which will provide support to students from the Waianae coast to pursue studies at any UH campus. “This scholarship will not only honor our friend and hero, Buffalo Keaulana, it will hopefully inspire our young people to pursue education and become leaders within their own communities here on the Waianae Coast,” said Lassner.

For those interested in visiting the iconic vessel, today’s arrival kicks off two weeks of canoe tours and other public events. The activities aim at providing West Oʻahu students and community an opportunity to visit Hōkūleʻa and her crew, and learn about the recent Worldwide Voyage and its Mālama Honua mission promoting cultural and environmental stewardship. The Mahalo, Hawaiʻi port stop will also focus on celebrating the work of Leeward Coast community members, educators and crewmembers. For specific dates and times, scroll down or  visit our event calendar.

PVS would like to give a special mahalo to the West O’ahu community including the the Searider Productions students Austin Ibanes, Tyler Bright, Deana Goslin, Shane Ader, Aaron Paulo, Lorenzo Ballesteros for volunteering their time and talent in providing the following media from today’s arrival events.

Images and video © 2017 Searider Productions

Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, Waiʻanae Stop Schedule of Events

Hōkūleʻa Arrival Ceremony & Celebration
December 9, 11am – 6pm
Pokaʻi Bay, Waiʻanae, Oahu
Additional details located on www.kaleoowaianae.com/hokulea.html

School visits and educational outreach (by appointment only)
December 11-15 and December 18-21, Mornings 8am-3pm

Community Canoe Tours
December 11-15 and December 18-21, Afternoons 3pm-6pm
December 10 and December 16-17, 10am-4pm

Hulikoʻa Kaiaulu, Crew Talk Story – Sponsored by Kamehameha Schools
Past and present: Hōkūleʻa crew members from the Waiʻanae moku
December 13, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Community Learning Center at Maʻili

Crew Talk Story – Sponsored by Waiʻanae Moku Clubs of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs
Past and present: Hōkūleʻa crew members from the Waiʻanae moku
December 19, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Waiʻanae District Park

Star Talk – Sponsored by E Ala Voyaging Academy
Hōkūleʻa crew members
December 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Pokaʻi Bay, Waiʻanae, Oʻahu

Hōkūleʻa is scheduled to depart Pokaʻi Bay on December 21, and will return to the Marine Education Training Center at Sand Island to prepare for her next stop on the Mahalo, Hawaiʻi sail.

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