In 1993, Mauloa was completed by Clayton Bertelmann, Tava Taupu, and many others under the guidance of Papa Mau. Built through the traditional and ceremonial practice of kālai waʻa, this canoe prepared them to carry on the kūleana of waʻa building and receive the blessing from kūpuna to create the voyaging canoe Makaliʻi.

Makaliʻi was the dream of Uncle Clay Bertelmann, founder of Nā Kālai Waʻa. She was built in just nine months in a Parker Ranch Quonset hut in Waiemi wahi. Makaliʻi is a 54-foot waʻa kaulua (double-hulled voyaging canoe) with a single mast. On February 4, 1995, she was born in a launching ceremony at Kawaihae, her home. Just a month later, in March, Makaliʻi set off on her maiden voyage to Tahiti.

Hōkūliʻiliʻi is a 16-foot double-hulled coastal sailing canoe. Built in 1997, her hulls were designed and crafted by Tiger Espere, and the canoe was assembled by Waimea Middle School students under the leadership of Clay Bertelmann and the guidance of Tiger.

More coming soon...

More coming soon

More coming soon