Waiʻanae Community to Welcome Hōkūleʻa to Leeward Coast

Community and crew to hold events throughout December in honor of the voyaging canoe’s legacy and mission

The Waiʻanae community is preparing to welcome the legendary canoe to Pokaʻi Bay with an arrival ceremony at noon on December 9. The arrival will kick off two weeks of events and activities aimed at giving 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 crew members.

“Strengthened by our rich connection to the communities of West Oʻahu and long-time voyaging leadership such as the Keaulana ʻohana, this upcoming visit is a critical stop in reaching the mission of Mālama Honua and Mahalo, Hawaiʻi,” said Nainoa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. “It is important to us to mahalo and mālama this region of our pae ʻāina that is so rich in Hawaiian history, culture, tradition, and people.”

Hōkūleʻa departed Molokai yesterday and arrived on Oʻahu last night at the Marine Education Training Center at Sand Island where crew members will prepare the canoe for the Waiʻanae engagement. While in Kaunakakai, Molokai, Hōkūleʻa welcomed more than 1,500 students, community members and visitors to her deck.

Photos © 2017 Mickey Pauole @96729er

The Waiʻanae community expects to engage with 5,000 members of the public through canoe tours, educational outreach and community talk story sessions. Kumu Boboy Kaʻawa-Flores also will be conducting ʻoli, hula and lei making workshops as part of the cultural protocol for the Dec. 9 arrival ceremony. The workshops are free and open to the public.

Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, Waiʻanae Stop Schedule of Events

Cultural Protocol Workshops for Pokaʻi Bay Arrival Ceremony:

ʻOli and Hula Workshop with Kumu Boboy Kaʻawa-Flores
December 6, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Community Learning Center at Maʻili
Register at clcprograms@ksbe.edu or call 670-2045

Lei Making Workshop with Kumu Boboy Kaʻawa-Flores
December 7 & 8, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Community Learning Center at Maʻili
(please bring yellow pua and ferns)
Register at clcprograms@ksbe.edu or call 670-2045

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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