HAWAIIAN OUTRIGGER CANOE VOYAGING SOCIETY presents

Gathering of The Voyagers
August 23 - 25, 2024

Support provided by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program

Lea, Goddess of Canoe Builders

The Hawaiian goddess of canoe builders, was known to transform herself into the ʻelepaio bird and she would fly from the slopes and forest of Haleakala down to the coastline that we now call Wailea, translated to "Waters of Lea".  This location was known to be the gateway and resting area for our ancient voyagers.  This was their first and last stop when traveling through the Kealakahiki Channel (translated to "pathway to Tahiti"), which is located between Kahoʻolawe and Lanaʻi Islands. We are honored to celebrate our voyaging culture in this historical location.

A marketplace of makers, designers, historians, practitioners, doers and dreamers.

Come explore a world of handmade products that tell the stories of the people who created them. Find unique gifts for everyone on your list, and treat yourself to something unique and wonderful that couldn’t be found anywhere else..

Mākeke

Friday, August 23 & Saturday, August 24

10am to 5pm, outside the ballrooms

Friday, August 23

6am: Hiʻuwai Ceremony and E Ala E Polo Beach

Join us at the Beach for Hi'uwai and E Ala E. Hi'uwai is a sacred Hawaiian ceremony. It is done when we need to find balance within our lives, when we need to wash away and let go of what no longer is needed in our lives, and/or to help us start new and fresh. It is a peaceful ceremony with Hawaiian chants. You will slowly walk into the ocean and submerge yourself in the water. Once everyone gathers back to the beach, E Ala E will be chanted. The chant says "Arise, Awake. Today is a new day." Start your morning with cleansing in the ocean. This practice is allowing us to wash away all that no longer suits us and wash away all negativity. It allows us to come out of the water fresh with a new start, a new beginning.

7am: Hoe Waʻa! Come paddle with us! Polo Beach

Paddle an outrigger canoe, learn Hawaiian chants and learn the culture. First come, first serve. Waivers to be signed at check-in.

10am to 5pm: Hele Mai! Come join us for interactive workshops and demonstrations. Kea Lani Ballrooms

Thereʻs lots to learn from our cultural practitioners. They will all be here to share, teach and talk story.

In the ballroom: Flower lei making, Ti leaf lei braiding, Lauhala weaving, Coconut demonstration, Kapa making.. Indoor Planetarium from 4pm to 6pm.

On the terrace: Paddle making with Malama Chun, Kaula making, and Canoe building with Eselugupi Plasito.

10am: Ukulele Workshop Kea Lani Ballroom Stage

Learn basic Ukulele, techniques, and a song. All levels welcome: Beginners to Advance. If you have your own ukulele, bring it. Otherwise, a limited supply of ukulele is available. Kumu Kanoe Kamaunu will be leading the class. She is a Kumu Hula who has been dancing all her life She currently teaches hula and protocol to the halau at Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society and her own Halau Manaiakalani. She teaches Ukulele weekly in Kihei through the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society. RSVP not required. Just show up. First come, first serve on the borrowed ukuleles.

11am: Makahiki Kea Lani Ballroom

What is Makahiki, how do we identify it and what are the protocols for this sacred time of the year. Meet Ikaika Nakahashi and learn about how we apply culture and protocols to our life, today. Christopher “Ikaika” Nakahashi is from beautiful Haʻikū, Maui. Ikaika is a lecturer of Hawaiian ethnobotany at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and he serves as the Board President for the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Wailuku. In addition, Ikaika is a board member for the Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā organization that advocates for streamflow restoration. Ikaika is also a crew member with Moʻokiha o Piʻilani, a Hawaiian double-hulled voyaging canoe. Ikaika earned a Master of Science Degree in Botany from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Ikaika is a Hawaiian cultural plant expert with extensive training in Hawaiian religious ceremonies. Ikaika is passionate about Hawaiian culture and education, with an emphasis on traditional Hawaiian cooking and food production. Ikaika was featured on a national cooking show about traditional imu cooking.

12 pm: Oli/Chant Workshop Kea Lani Ballroom Stage

Oli/Chanting is an ancient way of praying, healing, telling stories and giving honor. The mana that comes from the oli is the understanding and connection to its meaning. Learn basic oil techniques from Kumu Kapono Kamaunu who is a master in chanting, taught to him by his Kumu Keliʻi Tauʻa.

1pm: Haka Workshop Kea Lani Ballroom Stage

Kumu Kapono Kamaunu will teach Haʻa Hokuleʻa, a Hawaiian Haka that was composed and choreographed by Kumu Keliʻi Tauʻa and used by the Hokuleʻa crew for the voyages.

2 pm: Determining the Weather Kea Lani Ballroom

Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur is a Micronesian Navigator from Satawal. He is a teacher of traditional, non-instrumental way finding methods for open-ocean voyaging using the sun, stars, wind, clouds, seas, swells, birds, and fish. His knowledge was acquired through oral traditions passed down through the generations of navigators in his family. His father Mau Piailug was known for teaching these traditions to the Polynesian Voyaging Society, which revived the art of voyaging that was nearly lost in Polynesia after Western Colonization. Sesario has been learning to read the stars and the weather since age 4 on his home island of Satawal. He currently teaches Navigating and Wayfinding at Palau Community College and runs the Micronesian Voyaging Society with the voyaging canoe Alingano Maisu. Sesario will talk about the storm stars and looking to the East to determine the upcoming weather.

3 pm: Hula Workshop Kea Lani Ballroom Stage

Immerse yourself in the graceful and storytelling world of hula dance, a cherished tradition of the Hawaiian culture. Hula combines fluid movements, expressive gestures, and rhythmic chants to convey tales of love, nature, and the Hawaiian spirit. Kumu Kanoe will provide a step-by-step guide to help beginners learn the basics of hula.

4 pm: Honoring Papa Mau Piailug Kea Lani Ballroom Stage

Mau Piailug was a Micronesian Navigator who shared his knowledge with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. With Mauʻs help on Hokuleʻaʻs maiden voyage to Tahiti in 1976, proved the efficacy of indigenous navigational knowledge to the world. His achievement provided evidence for intentional two-way voyaging throughout Oceania. The success of the Micronesian-Polynesian culture exchange sparked an emergent of the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance and the revival of Polynesian Navigation and Canoe Building. Talk story with his sons Sesario and Plasito and learn about the legacy of their father.

6:00pm Hawaiian Star Navigation with Kala Tanaka Kea Lani Ballroom. (changed due to weather)

Learn how our Navigators look to the stars to find their way across the Pacific. Learn about the star compass and how it is used. Our stars are true maps. Learn to use this map and you will never be lost. Kala Baybayan-Tanaka is the Navigator, Captain, and Education Director for Hui O Waʻa Kaulua. She is the daughter of the late Master Navigator, Kalepa Baybayan, who was a student of Papa Mau Piailug. Mau Piailug was the Master Navigator from Micronesia who taught the Hawaiians how to Navigate by the stars and was a vital part of Hokuleʻa and itʻs maiden voyage to Tahiti in 1976. With Kalaʻs passion to voyage and her intrigue and love of the stars, she learned Navigation from her father. She now teaches many of Maui Nuiʻs youth and young voyagers to navigate using indigenous knowledge and connection to the elements around her.

Saturday, August 24

7 am: Arrival of the Voyagers Polo Beach

Observe traditional protocol and welcoming of guests as they arrive by canoe. The canoes will arrive on Polo beach, carrying our honored guests, speakers, and presenters. Upon arrival on shore, protocol will begin with chants of asking permission to come ashore. Lei will be presented and hoʻokupu (gifts) will be carried up to the ahu (altar).

10am to 5pm: Pacific Peoples; One Ocean, One `Ohana Kea Lani Ballrooms

Enjoy a day of Cultural Sharing with our ʻohana throughout the Pacific. Each delegation will share song, dance and stories from their homelands. Presentations by:

  • Halau Hula O Keola Aliʻi O Ke Kai

  • Special Guest Presentation: Southeastern Woodland American Indians

  • Bahay Kubo Foundation of Maui to represent the Philippines

  • Remathau of Maui, Micronesia

  • Tongan Society of Maui

  • Quinault Nation of Washington State

  • Kihei Canoe Club Paddlers

7 pm to 10pm: Kanikapila Pilina, Resort Lobby

Enjoy a casual evening of music at Pilina, a place of gathering. Food and Beverage is available for purchase.

Sunday, August 25

7 am Voyage around Molokini Polo Beach. Route may change due to weather.

In the spirit of voyaging, paddlers will meet at the Polo Lawn, to complete a 10 mile paddle around Molokini. Registration opens at 7am. All canoes will be on the water by 8am. Join as a team or sign up individually and we will set up a crew for you. Voyage includes a memorabilia hat and lunch. VOYAGE IS FULL

11am Honoring our Voyagers Ballroom

Join us to honor Maui Nuiʻs own voyagers. Hear their stories and have Q&A time to get to know our beloved kupuna and their contribution to perpetuate our voyaging culture. Penny Rawlings Martin was one of t two women who sailed on Hokuleʻa 1976 voyaging from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi. She continues to sail on Hokuleʻa and teach the voyaging knowledge to the our youth. Kimokeo Kapahulehua is a pioneer and leader in six-man outrigger canoe paddling. His voyage began in 2003 from Hawaiʻi Island to Kure Atoll, to follow the path of his ancestors (a 1700 mile journey). He has since started six-man outrigger canoe societies throughout the world including Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippine, Canada and Pacific Northwest.

3 pm Closing Awa Ceremony Ahu at Resort Entrance

Participants and Resort Leaders will take part in a traditional Awa Ceremony to reflect on the event. A commitment is made to continue to serve the community and perpetuate the culture.

Located at Fairmont Kea Lani Resort, Maui, Hawai’i

Located at the end of the Wailea Resort chain, just before Makena. This event is sure to have something for everyone; kama’aina and malihini (locals and visitors) alike.

 

The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort

4100 Wailea Alan Drive
Kihei, HI. 96753