'Auhea e nā maka o ka lani
E maliu mai i nēia leo pule
He leo ha'aha'a
A he leo ho'omaika'i nō ho'i
E mālama mai iā mākou a palekana
A puka i ke ao mālamalama
A puka!

Take heed, oh eyes of the heavens
Listen with favor to this prayerful voice
A humble voice
A grateful voice indeed
Tend to us with protection
So that we might emerge forth into light
Emerge!

This is not about sailing, nor is it about a romance of the sea. It is about people coming together to share in a vision and for this vision to grow stronger with each generation.

In the 1970s, during the cultural renaissance in Hawai’i, a small group of individuals all shared the same dream: they envisioned a voyaging canoe, the wa’a, the same one that would have brought the first people to islands of Hawai'i. Over the course of a few years and with the help of a generous community that dream became a reality with the creation of the Hōkūle’a.

Soon after her completion she sailed to each of the main Hawaiian islands to see how she would be received by the greater community. Wherever she visited crowds would gather, some would stop and watch her for hours in a humble silence. The image of her anchored close to the shore returned onlookers to an ancient time.

The waves were building higher and higher as we drove down the Pali coast. Empty cars lined the side of the highway as their owners caught some of the best surf in months. Victory and I were part of a last minute crew that was being put together to move the Mo’okiha out of the harbor in search of safer waters. When we arrived at the harbor we were short of the people we needed to crew the wa’a. To spite the number, we motored out of the harbor against the wind and as soon as we passed the protective jetty the sea conditions suddenly changed. The sky darkened and wind started howling. We were surrounded by white caps.

The Captain told us of a Hawaiian superstition about being out at sea during the eclipse. With these conditions and that myth we wanted to moored in safe waters as quick as possible and get back to land safely. A squall hit and the Captain and Jack went diving into the rolling waves covered in thick rainfall to reach our arriving escort.

Moments before the eclipse an elliptical opening surrounding the sun broke through the dense cloud cover. The wind calmed for a moment and chicken skin spread throughout my body. I remember the deep blue cast on the entire world, the cool air breeze, the rocking of the wa’a accompanied by a symphony of creaks and splashes. We were all stressed and tired but that moment reached deep within us to tell us something.

Hours later and just before sunset we were towed back into the harbor. The conditions settled and we commandeered a slip from one of the whale hunting boats. The crew swam back to shore leaving the Captain behind. “You’re a wild animal”, the Captain told me. I dove into the harbor and swam with a smile on my face. I loved this crew, its Captain, and our wa’a. I felt like we can conquer anything as long as we kept strong together.

Eia mai na opuu a Kanaloa
I au moana mai ka onini no kumulani
O Malio kahi ohua e ohaoha ai kena ka hua
Paheahea mai na leo o uka a pae aku ka wa'a pu'uone e

Here we are the children of Kanaloa
Those who travel on the sea brought the breeze that comes from the horizon
Pleasure and merriment are our companions
We offer our voices to those of the uplands,
so that we can land our canoes upon your shore

Mele Kāhea by Pelika Bertelmann

This was made from the love, trust, and acceptance by so many powerful and caring human beings that treated a stranger as a friend, and even family. This is for you all, 'Ohana Wa'a.

Mahalo nui loa

Amy Hānaiali'i Gilliom, Amy Hodges, Archie Kalepa, Attwood Makanani, Billy Richards, Brad Ferrari, Bridget Burger, Bruce Blankenfeld, Carl Gardner, C.J. Elizares, Daniel Tanaka, Denn Ko, Emily Anne Kaliko Spenser, Fa'avae Maluia, Grace Shimabukuro, Harry Donenfeld, Hui o Wa'a Kaulua, Hulilau Wilson, Ipo Mokiao, Jack Breen, Ka'ai McAfee Torco, Kala Baybayan Tanaka, Kalae'ula and Tekauri, Kālepa Baybayan, Keala Kaehuaea, Keala Kimura, Keao Ross, Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Kini Burke, Landen Goodeaf, Lehua Kamalu, Leilani Hasbrook, Mahina Hou Ross, Mary Anne Enriquez, Miki Tomita, Moani Keala Heimuli, Myrna Ah Hee, Nā'ālehu Anthony, Nainoa Thompson, Nakua Konohia-Lind, Nohe Putnam, 'Ohana Wa'a, 'Ōiwi TV, Pelika Bertelmann (Andrade), The Polynesian Voyaging Society, Pomai Bertelmann, Puaita Raihau Pulotu, Sam Kapoi, Sam Low, Snake Ah Hee, Steve Payne, Tamiko Fernelius, Timi-Kahinalua Gilliom, Victory Yokotake, Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali'i, Yu Sum Ko

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