Celebration of Polynesian Voyaging
Naniloa Hotel Makai lawn, Hilo • Friday, March 18, 2005
Sunny Hilo skies rewarded folks who came out to help celebrate 30 years of Polynesian voyaging, with the crew of the Hokualaka'i, Aha Punana Leo, Alu Like, Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi. There were 2 special planetarium shows that featured the new Hawaiian skies cylinder, with Chad Baybayan, PI for the Hokualaka'i voyaging canoe program giving the sky tours, with the support of UH Hilo and Gemini Observatory.
One of the navigators of the Hokule'a and PI of the Hokualaka'i voyaging canoe program, Chad Baybayan, working on lashing a post for a railing on the Kea'eloa training canoe that was on exhibit at the event. Some of the folks who enjoyed one of Chad's planetarium shows that featured the Hawaiian star lines that navigators are using to help navigate the oceans in hopes of preserving and perpetuating the skills of wayfinding.
Some students from Waimea Middle School made it out to the Naniloa Hotel Makai Lawn to learn more about Polynesian voyaging. More students from Waimea Middle School get an opportunity to get close to a voyaging canoe that trains people on manning a canoe Former sandwich artiste, canoe paddler and KWXX Account Executive Randy Botti (left) with Chad. Randy coordinated this event, and does a wonderful job bringing awareness to Hawaiian canoe paddling and the PVS
Due to poor sailing conditions and an escort boat breakdown the Hokule’a has been forced to cancel her Hilo visit. She will sail directly to Kawaihae on Friday March 18th and on to Kalae (South Point) on Monday March 21st to pick the remainder of her Hawai`i Island visit as scheduled.

Hilo will hold a “Celebration of Polynesian Voyaging” as previously scheduled on Friday March 18th from 9am – 3pm at the Makai Lawn of the Hawai`i Naniloa hotel. The Aha Punana Leo training canoe the Kea`eloa will be on hand with student working on rigging and lashing of the canoe. The Gemini Observatory SkyLab will also be on hand to demonstrate the principals of traditional celestial navigation. There will also be info from Alu Like, Hawai`i Community College, Hui Malama Ola Na `Oiwi and Aha Punana Leo.

The Polynesian Voyaging Canoe, Hokule’a began a statewide sail on March 5, 2005 at the Marine Education Training Center on O’ahu that will encompass 2500 miles, with 32 sailing legs and visit 26 communities throughout the state, the 2005 statewide sail will conclude in July.

The Hokule’a will arrive at South Point (Kalae) on Monday March 20th, then sail North to `Okoe Bay (March 21st) Honaunau (March 22rd) where there will a celebration honoring the Hokule’a at 11am, Miloli`i (March 23rd). There will also be stops at Kealakekua, Ka`upulehu and she will arrive in Kawaihae on about March 25th. Hawai`i Island’s voyaging canoe, the Makali`i will join the Hokule’a in Honaunau, where the two canoes will sail together up the Kona Coast. There is a planned celebration at Kawaihae on Saturday March 26th at the Makali`i halau in Kawaihae.

The statewide sail will focus on communities and local efforts to improve the communities the Hokule’a visits. The Polynesian Voyaging Society will also honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s efforts during the last 30 years.

Founded on a legacy of Pacific Ocean exploration, the Polynesian Voyaging Society seeks to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves and each other, and their natural and cultural environments.

Malama Hawai`i is a hui of over seventy organizations and hundreds of individuals committed to the vision that Hawai`i, our special island home, be a place where the people, land and sea are cared for, and communities are healthy and safe. For more information, see: www.malamahawaii.org.