The Hokule’a canoe, crew makes a stopover in Kaua’i

KALAPAKI — Up to 300 Hawaiians, visitors and residents gathered at Kalapaki

Bay yesterday to greet the historic Hokule’a canoe after a 15-hour trip from

O’ahu.

The canoe’s arrival was part of a year-long celebration marking

the 25th anniversary of the canoe’s launching.

The double-hulled, 62-foot

canoe left Honolulu around 4 p.m. Friday, and reached Kalapaki Beach at about

7:30 a.m. yesterday.

Under blue skies and powered by a light breeze, the

canoe — laden with 18 sailors — cruised to an area offshore from the beach,

paddled to shore and was greeted by a royal Hawaiian court and island

dignitaries.

“It is just awesome for us to be here, relating to our

Hawaiian lifestyle,” said Juliet Aiu, one of eight ladies of the Lihu’e branch

of Ahahui Ka’ahumanu.

In existence for 83 years, the statewide group

consists only of Hawaiian women and represents Queen Ka’ahumanu, the favorite

wife of King Kamehameha IV.

Mayor Maryanne Kusaka and Roy Nishida —

liaison for Gov. Ben Cayetano on Kaua’i — and others also paid tribute to the

vessel and crew.

The seven voyages by the Hokule’a since 1976 have provided

a wealth of information for scientists and historians about traditional

Polynesian migrations, explorations and settlement of Pacific islands covering

10 million square miles throughout a 1,000-year period, according to the

Honolulu-based Polynesian Voyaging Society.

During its statewide trip, the

canoe will stop at more than 20 communities. Sponsors anticipate more than

35,000 school children will visit the canoe and participate in festivities and

celebrations during the voyage.

The trip offers a way to thank communities

across the state for their contributions and support of the canoe, according to

the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Kaleo Ho’okano, one of 14 men and one

woman from Kaua’i who manned the canoe, said the sight of lights from O’ahu

fading as the lights of Kaua’i became stronger left him in awe.

“It was a

unique site I will always remember,” he said.

Ho’okano said the canoe

reached Kaua’i without a hitch.

“We sailed three quarters of the way,” he

said. “There, wind was about eight knots, but it was consistent almost all the

way.”

The ceremony at Kalapaki Beach began with the blowing of conch shells

to announced the canoe’s arrival.

From the shore, members connected to the

royal court offered mele (a chant) to recognize the seafarers and gave them

food and gifts.

Al Feather and Norma Bechtel, visitors from Northern

California, said while they didn’t know enough about the history of the

Hokule’a, the pageantry caught their attention.

“It is all very interesting

to watch,” Feather said. “I am sure there is a deep meaning behind it.”

Both Bechtel and Feather said they wanted to learn more about the vessel’s

history and Hawaiian history.

The Hokule’a was launched on March 8, 1975 at

Kuola on O’ahu, and it made its first voyage to and from Tahiti in

1976.

The Hawaii-based canoe also has sailed to and from Rapa Nui, the

Marqeusas, Tahiti, Rarotoga, the Society Islands, the Cook Islands, New

Zealand, Tonga and Samoa.

A voyage from Hawai’i to Tahiti in 1978 was

marked by tragedy when the Hokule’a was swamped in heavy seas off Moloka’i. A

crew member who attempted to paddle to shore to get help was lost a

sea.

During its inaugural trip in 1976 from Hawai’i to Tahiti and back,

Satawelese navigator Mau Piailug, with a Hawaiian crew, guided the canoe to

Tahiti, a distance of 2,400 miles, without any navigational instruments.

It illustrated how ancient Polynesians made their way to Hawai’i, using

celestial bodies and by understanding the workings of ocean swells.

The

Hokule’a will dock at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor and Port Allen in Hanapepe

and in Hanalei Bay between today and Sept. 28. The arrival of the Hokule’a

coincides with 16th annual Kaua’i Marathon Festival.

Other sponsors of the

statewide sailing trip include the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, the Hawaii

Maritime Center, the Hawaii 2000 Millennium Commission and Malama

Hawaii.

Updates on the statewide trip are available at

http://leahi.kcc.hawaii.-edu/org/pvs.