Ocean Education: Unlocking the Mystery of Underwater Marine Life for Hawai‘i’s Keiki
By Karen Rose The famous French underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau famously said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” Junior Program instructors at Jack’s Diving Locker agree, and are striving to inspire…
Manta Pacific Research Foundation: Conserving and Protecting the Ballerinas of the Ocean
By Karen Rose ”The world’s finest wilderness lies beneath the waves,” says marine life artist Wyland. Keller Laros, president of the Manta Pacific Research Foundation (MPRF), agrees. Keller and his wife Wendy founded MPRF in 2002 out of their passion…
Mālama Moana: Take Care of the Ocean that Takes Care of You
By Rachel Laderman Sometimes through ignorance, we smother our beaches, reefs, and wildlife with so much affection and attention that they are left gasping to recover. At Kahalu‘u Bay in Kailua-Kona, the community saw this happening. Beautiful Kahalu‘u Bay was…
Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail
Hōkūle‘a and her crew arrived in Kailua-Kona on March 26, 2018 to begin their visit to Hawai‘i Island as part of the Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail. Next, Hōkūle‘a and crew traversed the island and arrived in Hilo on April 2 to…
Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail
Poka‘i Bay, Wai‘anae, O‘ahu was the next stop on the Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail voyage by Hōkūle‘a. Arriving on December 9, 2017, the canoe spent nearly 15 days at Poka‘i Bay where they were welcomed by all eleven schools of the…
Wai Watchers: The Vital Role of Volunteers in Watershed Health
Mālama Mokupuni: Caring for Our Island Environment By Julia Meurice This is a story of how communities are uniting and strengthening to protect the quality of our water from the mountains to the coast, of people rebuilding relationships with life…
Sea Love with Don Elwing
By Britni Schock Driving up mauka (mountain-side) of the Ocean View community, you see an endless sky, a terrain of ‘ōhi‘a lehua trees, and lava rock. After a few miles you arrive at the home of Don Elwing (Uncle D),…
Surf’s Up! The 23rd Annual Shane Dorian Banyan Keiki Classic Returns
By Karen Rose Kailua-Kona’s hometown hero and big wave surfer Shane Dorian has taken his success in surfing and utilized his fame to establish a surf competition for Hawai‘i Island’s youth. Now in its 23rd year, the Shane Dorian Banyan…
Hanauna Ola: Sustaining the Generations through Voyaging
By Jan Wizinowich For centuries, the spirit of the voyaging canoe lay dormant only to be reawakened with a question: Is it possible to sail a voyaging canoe to Tahiti using non-instrument navigation? Now, many years later on Hawaiʽi Island,…
Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail
The Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail continued in November and December, 2017 to thank Hawai‘i’s people, bringing Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia home to all of Hawai‘i. They shared lessons learned from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, and deepen the organization’s connection and understanding…
Mālama Mokupuni: Caring for Our Island Environment
Coral Reefs Are Dying: Climate Change and Sunscreen Pollution By Rachel Laderman Hānau ka ‘Uku-ko‘ako‘a, hānau kana, he ‘Ako‘ako‘a, puka Born was the coral polyp, born was the coral, came forth In the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation chant, ko‘a (the…
Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail
After the homecoming ceremonies at Magic Island in June, 2017, Hōkūle‘a was put into dry dock for needed maintenance and repairs. Her first sail after returning to the water was to Honolua Bay, Maui. Hōkūle‘a and her crew arrived there…
Ho‘ina Hōkūle‘a — Hōkūle‘a Returns
By Leilehua Yuen Hōkūle‘a now begins her final leg of the Worldwide Voyage—traveling the Hawaiian Archipelago to approximately 30 ports. Her crew will get to share their adventures with some 100 schools on various islands. After circumnavigating the Earth in…
Worldwide Voyage of Hōkūle‘a: Homecoming: Leg 31
Wednesday evening, May 17, 2017, Hōkūle‘a, her sister wa‘a (canoe) Hikianalia, and the escort vessel Gershon II departed Tahiti for the final leg home to Hawai‘i. The canoes will returned to a welcoming cultural celebration in Honolulu’s at Magic Island.…
Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Fair Wind Cruises
Fair Wind Cruises is the oldest family-owned snorkel business in Hawai‘i, operating since 1971. With two 55’ catamarans taking guests to destination snorkel areas, Kealakekua Bay and various South Kona locations, the cruises are an inclusive experience complete with snorkel…
To Ride the Wind: Hawai‘i Sailing Canoes
By Jan Wizinowich Kahakini and his three men arrive at Kohala’s Kēōkea Beach at moonrise. He walks to the cliff top and peers out into the ocean. The moonlight sparkles on small lines of white foam marking the swell direction.…
Worldwide Voyage of Hōkūle‘a
After spending several months sailing up and then down the East Coast of the US, Hōkūle‘a left US waters in Key West, Florida headed to the Panama Canal. The crew spent Christmas and New Years in the Caribbean, sailing to…
Man on a Blue Mission: Bryce Groark
Chances are if you’ve ever been on the Fair Wind snorkel boat, you’ve sat in on a Bryce Groark fish class. Although Bryce’s cinematography and marine research work takes him all over the world, his roots are in Kealakekua Bay.…
Worldwide Voyage
Leg 23 brought Hōkūle‘a to Sorel, Quebec, Canada—the furthest north that she will travel on the Worldwide Voyage. As Hōkūle‘a navigated through the most extensive and complex lock system of her voyage, she has traveled through an incredible 61 locks.…
How to See Papahānaumokuākea–And How to Say It!
By Karen Valentine From exploring and visiting a real gem of a visitors’ attraction in Hilo. Mokupāpapa Discovery Center is the primary interpretive center for the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument—more correctly named Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Not only…
Ulua Fishing Kau Lā‘au Style with Uncle Aku Hauanio
By Denise Laitinen Fishermen rarely share their secrets, yet Uncle Aku is about to tell me the special ingredient to his fish soup. Not just any soup; soup featuring ulua, the most sought-after shoreline fish in Hawai‘i. “Coconut milk makes…
Worldwide Voyage: Hōkūle‘a connects Hawai‘i with Canada’s First Nations
Crew members were welcomed by the Nova Scotia community, dignitaries, and members of the Mi’kmaw (pronounced “Meeg Maw”) Nation on the Yarmouth dock. The celebratory arrival ceremony featured cultural dances and the rhythmic beating of drums. Feathers were presented by…
Worldwide Voyage: Private Sacred Ceremony between Two Ancient Cultures
Hōkūle‘a captain, pwo (master) navigator, and Hawai‘i Island resident Kālepa Baybayan of the Polynesian Voyaging Society led his crew ashore on Piscataway lands on May 14, 2016. The delegation from Hawai‘i followed Hawaiian cultural protocol to ask permission of the…
“He Wa‘a He Moku; He Moku He Wa‘a” (A Canoe Is an Island; an Island Is a Canoe): Ancient Hawaiian Voyaging is Reborn on Hawai‘i Island
By Karen Valentine In each ‘ohana (family), there are those who are called to the sea and those to whom the ‘āina (land) speaks, so they plant the food and the trees that help sustain everyone, including those who choose…
Worldwide Voyage: Hōkūle‘a 2016 Tour of US East Coast
Since departing Hawaiian waters in May 2014, Hōkūle‘a has sailed more than 21,500 nautical miles and made stops in 12 countries and 55 ports, weaving a “Lei of Hope” around the world. Along the way, more than 160 volunteer crewmembers…
Caring for Kaloko Fishpond: A Valuable Cultural Resource
A long the desolate western coastline of Hawai‘i Island, not too far north of Kailua-Kona, lies a property more valuable than the multi-million-dollar homes and resorts that distinguish the area. At least it was to the ali‘i—the chiefs and chiefesses…
Mālama Honua 2016 West Hawai‘i Events with the Hikianalia
Sunday, February 28, afternoon Community welcomes Hikianalia (weather permitting) Location: Kohala Waho, Kawaihae Join the host ‘ohana in welcoming the canoe. Potluck for community participants and wa‘a ‘ohana—bring something to share. Wednesday, March 2, 5:30–8pm Music and stories from the…
Worldwide Voyage: Hawaiian Star Compass
An ingenious tool introduced to Hawaiians by Pwo Navigator Mau Piailug of Micronesia, the star compass is a mental construct that allows navigators to read the starline, wave direction, and bird flight paths. Learning Objectives Key Concepts To share how…
Hōkūle‘a has Departed on the Most Challenging Leg to Date: South Africa
The crew of the Hōkūle‘a set sail for South Africa, the most ambitious leg of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage yet. This leg of the voyage—navigating the unpredictable and sometimes dangerous Indian Ocean—is a historic first for the Polynesian Voyaging…
“Try Wait”: Fishermen and Families Work Towards a Sustainable Fishery at Ka‘ūpūlehu
By Catherine Tarleton Around the world’s oceans, fish and seafood populations are shrinking at an alarming rate due to overfishing and other factors. In Hawai‘i, specifically on the West Coast of Hawai‘i Island, anecdotal and scientific data point to steep…
