This covers the Spring 1998 semester of my yearlong Polynesian Voyaging class. We still sailed the E’ala but worked more and more on the Hokule’a, rigging the canoe after it was put back into the water, test sailing it over several weekends all around Oahu’s South Shore and eventually sailing it to Molokai and back. We worked together with a Hawaiian Studies class from the University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus. We also got to work and sail with Nanoa Thompson, who was the first Hawaiian to re-learn traditional navigation from the Micronesian master Mau Pialug and is still a major leader and inspiration in the Hawaiian Renaissance and environmental education. Showing up every morning at 5;00 AM at Nainoa’s house for the Molokai sail for several days in a row only to be denied by strong winds and high seas, we eventually made, still having solid wind and seas, which made for an exciting adventure. I feel blessed to have had this experience and am very thankful for all the great teaching I received. Aloha!
The masts and rigging of the Hawailoa at Sand Island
Sailing on the E’ala on Kaneohe Bay
Celebration with native Alaskans – Kaneohe Bay near Kulaoa
The Hokule’a being towed in Maunalua Bay
The Hokule’a in the Molokai Channel
Ka’au McKenney and Nainoa Thompson at work on the Hokule’a
The Hokule’a off Le’ahi (Diamond Head)
Watershed in Kaneohe town
Hokule’a off Kuala, woodcut, 15″ x 18 1/2″, dieter runge, 2017
The steering paddle of the Hokule’a in action.
