Starting with Bowman’s and continuing today, the Friends have encouraged and supported a pool of builders, assistants and apprentices who have successfully built or restored multiple traditional Hawaiian canoes.
Au Hou at NMAI

FHH invited by the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian (NMAI)

NMAI – Mall Museum, Washington, DC and Community Resources Center, Suitland, MD. Coordinated by Melissa Bisagni, Visitor Services Specialist, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institute. FHH was invited by the Smithsonian National Museum … Read more

Festival Celebrates Seafaring Culture

14th Annual Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Canoe Festival “Hawaii’s oceangoing traditions were on full display Saturday during the 14th annual Kualoa Regional Park. The event, organized by the city Department of Parks and Recreation along with numerous voyaging … Read more

Apprentice Kalai Wa`a

“Thought to share the below with all of you. Canoe apprentice Ryan Olivares is the Wood Shop teacher for both Olomana School, and the Hawai’i Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF). He has the responsibility of repairing … Read more

Wa’a Kaukahi Ualaka’a

There was a lot involved in rebuilding this wa’a (replacing the top of the hull kuamo’o/kino, the manu hope/ihu, seats na nohona, ama, and na i’ako. Tay will be sharing his techniques by finishing the … Read more

Ho’omau

Aloha Friends – I am writing to let you know I have finished my canoe “Ho’omau.” Billy, Tay and I discussed different names and felt this one fit. It has been a long 6 years … Read more

Model of Hokule’a

Revitalizing Model Of Hawai’iloa by Artist Kaili Chun

The scale model of the Hawaii Loa canoe on view here in the A’o cultural space was constructed in the early part of her 8-year apprenticeship with Mr. Bowman. Ka`ili has continued the Hawaiian practice … Read more

Sharing Hawai‘i’s Legacy

The Au Hou (New Era) is an 18-foot fishing canoe designed and largely built by Bowman, Jr., but Wrighto died before it was completed. The canoe was donated by Sharon Bowman, Wrighto’s widow, to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

Other Projects

  • From scratch (Tay Perry): Ka Ehukai; Mokulua; Paoa; Hokulele; Honolulu
  • Restored (Tay Perry): Leilani; Kakina; ‘Io; Papaloa; Kalanakila; Honaunau; Malia Kapeka; Ka Mo‘i; Kaukahi; Hoaloha; Moloka‘i
  • Prince Kuhio’s canoe, the ‘A, now displayed in the main hall at the Bishop Museum. (Allan Dowsett)
  • The Eala, restoration and refit of a 42-foot double-hulled sailing canoe. (Jerry Ongies)
  • Hokualaka‘i, 58-foot voyaging built for the Aha Punana Leo, Hilo. (Jay Dowsett & Jerry Ongies)
  • Hokule‘a model, one-third scale (21 feet) built for The National Science Museum, Tokyo, Japan. (Jay Dowsett)
  • 58-foot voyaging canoe (Hokualaka‘i mold) for Mau Piaulug, delivered to Na Kalai Wa‘a. (Jay Dowsett)
  • Kanehunamoku, 30-foot double- sailing canoe made for Charter School Halau Ku Mana. (Jay Dowsett & Jerry Ongies)
  • Kea‘eloa, 30-foot double-hull sailing canoe made for the Aha Punana Leo. (Jay Dowsett & Jerry Ongies)
  • NOAA Science Building, 30-foot double-hull sailing canoe for display, Hilo. (Jay Dowsett)
  • University of Hawai‘i, 30-foot double-hulls made for the Department of Hawaiian Studies, sailing and navigation class. (Jay Dowsett)
  • Hokule‘a 25-foot model, for the Willows Restaurant. (Jay Dowsett)
  • Hokule‘a restoration and refit. (Jay Dowsett, Jerry Ongies)
  • Mo‘okiha redesign consultation, seaworthiness plan. (Jay Dowsett, Jerry Ongies)
  • Circa 1860 Kona canoe from the Brooklyn Museum of Arts and Sciences. (Allan Dowsett)
  • Alapi‘i, restoration of a 19th century fishing canoe from South Kona, through Friends of Kaloko-Honokahau. (Jason Tabata)
  • ‘Elemakule, a fish canoe named after Wright Junior’s middle name. (Jason Tabata)
  • Au Hou, built by Wright Bowman Junior and finished by Jason Tabata, details “Sharing Hawai‘i’s Legacy.”