2019 GALLERY OF EVENTS
Alenuihaha Crossing
October 3, 2019
On the spur of the moment, Uncle Kalani learned that the Trilogy Excursion Catamaran out of Maui was just completing its dry dock at Honokohau Harbor. Uncle Kalani asked the Captain of the Sailboat if it would be possible to take the Nā Peʻa crew back on itʻs return trip across the Alenuihaha Channel. The Trilogy Excursions company agreed. Within 12 hours crew members were notified, arrangements made and early morning Thursday, Oct 3 the Nā Peʻa crew set sail on Trilogy III bound for Maui. Seven crew members were able to make the trip. A big Mahalo to Trilogy Excursions for extending this rare opportunity to our crew members.
2019 Destination Voyage JULY 4 to 7
We set sail from the Puakō boat ramp with light winds out of the northeast. Within an hour the winds had shifted to the opposite southwest direction. We then had to tack a lot making short stops at Honokaope cove and then at Waiulua bay fronting the Waikoloa Hilton Hotel.
We landed at Kapalaoa at the South end of Anaehoʻomalu Bay and want to extend our Mahalo to Iwalani and Brian who graciously welcomed us to Kapaloa.
We set sail early the next morning and by lunchtime landed at Keawaiki where we were greeted by Alan Brown and Analu. Much Mahalo to Alan and Analu for the hospitality.
We then set out the next morning under light winds out of the South West taking our way up the coast to Kīhilo where we were greeted by the Hui O Kīoholo, the Nature Conservancy Ohana and our Nā Peʻa Parents.
On Sunday we welcomed the student (Teachers) from the UH Manoa Master Degree STEMS program. After a short briefing on the mechanics of sailing our canoes, our Nā Peʻa Haumana took the STEM teachers out for a short sail.
Much Mahalo again to Shawn and Makalapua Merritt for providing us with the ultimate Breakfast lunches and Dinners. To Aunty Chan and Aunty Becca from Kīholo for their hospitality.
Also thanks to Helder Parreira who helped us keep our Haumana safe on this epic voyage. And not to be left Mahalo and Aloha to Uncle Kalani who worked so hard to overcome some very daunting circumstances to get our safety escort boat Mahihi to us. Mahalo too to Uncle Roland for responding at a moments notice to provide jet ski emergency escort for the first few hours of our voyage while Maihi was en route to us. And our deepest Mahalo to Aunty Shari and Aunty Nahaku for all the support and love.
June 30, Un-Rig Canoes and a little Canoe Surfing
Aunty Shari brought her Ohana (mother and brother and his family with her. Was great to meet them all. We then unloaded Maile and Malolo. They will be remaining at Kīhilo during the Nā Peʻa offseason. We then un-rigged three of the Nā Peʻa canoes and loaded them onto the trailer for the trip to Puakō. Then it was play time. The Nā Peʻa crew caught three good waves surfing in the bay. They also had fun riding the inflowing current in the Auwai that feeds the Kīholo fish ponds. You got to check out the surfing video
June 9, Kīholo Day Sail
We set sail for Luahinewai and made it this time.
The wind was perfect. Eka wind blowing at Nao strength we made it to Luahinewai with ease. Uncle Kalani Flores shared with us the moʻolelo of Luahinewai, the story of the resident Moʻo and the role this site played in the story of Keoua Kahuʻula and Kamehameha. We did some Lele Kawa off the cliffs then sailed back to our spot on the north end of Kīholo.
May 19th Kahuwai-Kaʻūpulehu
We launched at 8:45 at Kīholo. At 10:00 am we were just outside of Luahinewai. While the wind was light out of the west when we launched, within minutes the wind shifted to the South West and increased to 15 mph. As usual Uncle Kalani had thought ahead and arranged for one of his Kona Style crew members to meet us with Uncle Kalaniʻs Boston Whaler. We tied our two canoes to the Whaler and Uncle Kalani Towed us to Kahuwai. We met Uncle Mike Field at Kahuwai. He gave us an outstanding tour of the Kahuwai Petroglyph field. After eating lunch we launched from Kahuwai and arrived back at Kīholo at 3 PM. What a fantastic sail home. Nikko caught a large Uku on the way back.
May 5th Luahinewai
Never made it to Luahinewai. Kūpikiʻo (20 mph) winds blowing out of the South West made sailing to Luahinewai dangerous if not really possible. Winds blowing in the wrong direction. Winds were lighter when we arrived at 9 am but by the time we were ready to launch at 10 am the winds had picked up considerably. We did have a very good Kilo discussion on tides, wind direction, and cloud formations. We hung out at Kīholo for a few hours then unrigged our sails. We did pass out our new dry bags and each crew member got a fleece sleeping bag. We decided that our next sail day to launch by 8 am. That sail is to Kahuwai.
April 13 and 14
Hawaiian Studies
HWST 103
Five Nā Peʻa crew members and Five HCC students attended a two day one credit HCC Hawaiian Studies class. The first day started out at the Palamanui Campus where an overview of design and construction of the traditional Hawaii canoe was presented. The second half of the day was a field trip to the Amy Greenwall Botanical Gardens where the native plants used in canoe construction were observed. On the second day, students met at Nā Peʻa Home Base at Kīholo. Students rigged the Nā Peʻa canoes and took them out for a short run inside the fish pond. The wind was just too strong to go out into the ocean. Much Mahalo to Uncle Kalani Flores for allowing our Nā Peʻa crew to attend this very informative class.
On April 27, Aunty Nahaku and Uncle Dale made a presentation on the Nā Peʻa Program at the National Park Institute held at the University of California at Merced. The Insitute provides training for National Park Managers from around the world.
March 23 and 24
Life Saving-First Aid-CPR
Nā Peʻa crew members completed the Red Cross Certified Life Saving-CPR-First Aid class. Much Mahalo to "Back Unlimited" and Uncle Jerome Marks and his crew for an intense, exhausting but very enriching course. Rescue skills learned on land were tested in deep water outside of the Honokohau in the open Ocean
March 21 and 22 Paddle Making and Canoe Repair
We started out on Thursday cutting and shaping 3 new paddles. We also sanded the two ʻiako for the canoe Maile. On Friday we finished painting our new paddles, painted the ʻiako for Maile and started to sand Maileʻs hull in preparation for having her painted.
Nā Peʻa Registers as UH students March 11
Seven of our Nā Peʻa crew took advantage of the University Of Hawaii Community College Early Admissions program to register for a one-credit Hawaiian Studies Class that they will attend in April. These Crew members are now eligible to attend any other course being held at the Hawaii Community College.
March 3rd Opening Day
We opened our season with an Oli asking permission to enter Kīholo. Aunty Kuʻulei Kekealani and Becca Most received our Oli and invited us in. Kuʻulei and her dad, Uncle Sonny Kekealani shared moʻolelo of Kīholo and some family stories. We rigged two of our canoes, ate lunch then went swimming. The wind was moderately strong out of the north, sky was clear and it was beautiful.
Nā Peʻa Gets New Sails
Nā Peʻa got five brand new sails. We also added the Nā Peʻa logo to the hope of our canoes and to our sails. Each canoe got its name printed on the bow.