Ho`oulu Lahui: Regenerating Oceania
The world’s largest The world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders. …ensuring that FestPac remains a foundation of cultural exchange and celebration in the Pacific.…honoring the traditions that FestPac exists to perpetuate with an eye toward the future.
Our heartfelt mahalo for all her hard work – FHH Board member and ED/Captain of KVA, Bonnie Kahapea-Tanner, took the lead in coordinating the various activities staged at Kualoa Regional Park.
FHH participated in the following related Wa`a Schedule events:
June 3, 2024 – Hawai`i Wa`a Ceremony
Arrival ceremony welcoming `Ohana Wa`a/Hawai`i wa`a throughout the State. FHH provided three (3) wa`a kaukahi (outrigger canoe). Ka`imiloa, Kalele and Ualaka`a. Once we arrived at Kualoa Regional Park with the wa`a kaukahi, we riggedthe iako and ama to the canoes, then Marcus Marzan blessed the Ka`imiloa and Kalele before launching them in the water. The wa`a Ka`imiloa is over 100 years old, stored at Bishop Museum. Tay Perry (master canoe builder) took charge of restoring the Ka`imiloa which took 10 years to repair.
June 5, 2024 – Official Wa`a Arrival Ceremony of Delegation, Kualoa Regional Park
This event was closed to the public for the security of certain VIPs within the Delegation,
including Hawai`i. FHH crewed wa`a Ka`imiloa and wa`a Kalele that led the parade of wa`a kaulua arriving from Mokapu, Kane`ohe Bay. Some of the crew were of the ’76 Hokule`a Voyage. The wa`a Ualaka`a became the center piece in front of the stage. Each country arrived on a waʻa and were greeted by students from Hālau Kū Mana, Mālama Honua, Hoʻoula ʻāina, Kūlaniākea, and others.
June 13, 2024 – Kau Ka Pe‘a Holo Ka Wa‘a: Celebrating Voyaging Throughout Moananuiākea
Bishop Museum…in collaboration with ‘Ohana Wa‘a, the Hawai‘i voyaging community – will dedicate a full day of programs to celebrate voyaging in Moananuiākea which includes performances by wa`a crews, planetarium shows with navigators, music, food trucks, and a special honoring of Grand Master Navigator, Pius Mau Piailug. End the night with a special concert by our talented voyagers.
FHH displayed wa`a Ka`imiloa and wa`a Kalele and manned a booth sharing education materials, keiki canoe kits, wood pieces, and shirt sales.
June 15, 2024 – OKK Series “Navigating the Way – The Next Generation” FHH with Bishop Museum at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Another day of sharing knowledge of canoe building, a navigating compass, keiki activities for all ages, live entertainment, with an exceptional cultural exchange with the “Te Kura Tamia oTaipa” from Aotearoa New Zaland with song, oli, and haka. Mahalo to Luana and Leohone Muzno for coordinating a raffle donation of her artwork.
June 17, 2024 – wa`a kaulua o Io sepa “ The Voyagers of Faith”
The crew for wa`a kaula sailed from the north shore of O`ahu to UH METC, Sand Island, gracing us with their presence after the FestPac events, as well as me ai to celebrate Iosepa’s splashdown before FestPac after many years in dry dock. Mo`olelo of both the Iosepa and Hawai`iloa were shared with the visitors and crew. Mahalo to Kealii Haverly and Mark Ellis of PCC/BYU for allowing FHH to join in the celebration. A hui Hou!
Mahalo nui loa to all FHH volunteers/crew, i.e., Billy, Marjorie, Joy, Wayne, Mike, Ben, Keli, Keahi, Keala, Michi, Greg, Debra, Tay, Cindy, Ryan, Loy, Rick; Bonnie Kahapea-Tanner and her staff of KVA; Loren and Taylor of Bishop Museum; and Luana of Outrigger Reef Waikiki for allowing FHH the opportunity to be a part of this amazing cultural experience.
July 24, 2024 – Hauoli La Hanau 31st, wa`a kaulua o Hawai`iloa
A small group of volunteers and dry dock crew gathered for a birthday celebration of Hawai`iloa, 31 years from the official launch day of July 24, 1993. Billy and Brad shared stories of how our builder “kahuna kalai wa`a” and founder of FHH, Wright Bowman, Jr., finished the building of Hawai`iloa then launched at Pier 36 along with many of his dedicated volunteers, “Friends”. There was a building established for both Hokule`a & Hawai`iloa which no longer occupies the property by Pier 36. Kauka Mau prepared and shared a copy of the “The Mo`olelo Series: Hawai`iloa, The Untold Story” which will begin the History of Hawai`iloa that will be posted on our website.
