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. After eight months of work by Jason Tabata and Dennis Lai Hipp, the canoe was shipped to Washington, D.C., where, in September 2004, the finishing touches were completed in front of visitors, providing a living, interactive exhibit on traditional Hawaiian canoe building. The National Museum of the American Indian represents all Native American cultures, including Hawaiian.
Although the canoe is small in size, the project represents not only one of the most visible activities of the Friends to date, but also will serve as the Uniki celebration of the apprentices that worked and learned from Wrighto. If successful, the Piko that connects Wrighto to his apprentices can then be cut, and his students will be able to let him go, knowing that the responsibility of continuing the legacy for the living is in good hands.
Aloha Elemakule… Hoaloha me Hoahanau… Aloha no…