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Holokai
Project Holokai provides opportunities for Hawaiʻi Island students to experience the canoe and the teachings of open-ocean voyaging and non-instrumental navigation throughout all seasons.
Students and teachers can meet throughout the year with the captains and crew of Makaliʻi who will
provide hands-on canoe activities that will connect them to the waʻa and prepare them for a sail.
Cultural experts and community resources will enhance the learning sessions and provide rich stories
of the canoe and sailing. Students will learn the history of the canoe and experience the meaning of
“He waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa” (The canoe is our island, our island is the canoe).
(press the play button to watch the video, press the white arrow on the left side of the video to view images)
Holokai Objectives
He waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa
To introduce Nā Kālai Waʻa, the moʻolelo of
voyaging, and basic safety and sailing skills
Mālama Makaliʻi
To teach the reciprocal relationship between
kanaka and the canoe–Mālama aku, mālama mai
E Lauhoe Waʻa
To teach life skills through leadership
activities on the canoe
I Ola ʻOe I Ola Kākou Nei
To teach community stewardship through
activities that manage and maintain the
natural resources of Hawaiʻi.
Hoʻike
To share skills and knowledge by
participating in a coastal sail
Hokuliʻiliʻi's Restoration
Students and crew have been working on the restoration of the double-hulled coastal sailing canoe Hokuliʻiliʻi. In this video, students along with Makaliʻi's Captain Kealiʻi Maielua work on gluing down the stingers, laying down thin sheets of fiberglass, and coating it with epoxy.
You can watch other videos of the restoration process in our "videos & more" tab
Holokai students with coastal sailing canoe Mauloa