Aha Punana Leo and Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikolani College of Hawaiian Language, several canoe clubs, Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopu'u, and several hundred welcomed the newly completed double-hulled voyaging canoe Hokualaka'i at Hilo Bay on Saturday, October 30. UHH Chancellor Rose Tseng, MKAEC Director Marlene Hapai, and UH Institute for Astronomy Director Rolf Kudritzki were some of the dignitaries in attendance. Voyaging pioneers Mau Piailug, Shorty Bertleman and Nainoa Thompson were present, as were the crew of the Hokulea and Makali'i. Hokualaka'i, or guiding star, is a project of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, under Kalepa Baybayan, who captained the vessel over 1000 miles before bringing her home to Hilo. The program hopes to perpetuate ancient skills of wayfinding - using the stars, wind and currents as methods to circumnavigate the oceans of the Pacific.
Members of Aha Punana Leo and the UH Hilo College of Hawaiian Language witness the mooring of Hokualaka'i at Hilo Bay The crew of Hokualaka'i come ashore and are greeted Captain Kalepa Baybayan offers a ceremonial paddle.
A large throng of hnndreds of spectators view the coming home of Hilo's Voyaging Canoe, Hokualaka'i, escorted by big brother Hokulea, seen here on the right.