
southeast reach into port to clear customs. Hikianalia, the latest addition to the 'ohana waʽa, has just made her maiden voyage from Aotearoa, where she was constructed, to Tahiti and from Tahiti to Hilo. The hulls, fiberglass covered foam, with sweeping lines are a thing of beauty as well as providing swift sailing with the teak deck lending another kind of practical beauty. Slated to be the escort for Hokuleʽa on her world voyage, which is scheduled for now to depart in June, Hikianalia is outfitted with 8 solar panels and 3 motors, making her the ideal escort craft.


Kolomona Shintari and Bruce Blankenfeld are ferried off round the pier into port in a small zodiac. Meanwhile, Matson grinds to life for the work day to replace the warehouse roof. I’m treated to stories of these waters by two young companions who sit with me on the shore: Lurking tiger sharks, favorite eating fish and techniques for cooking and eating fish eyeballs. Another keiki tosses handfuls of small rocks into the water to scare the fish as he eats a spam musubi and is greatly amused to discover that the “fish” was only a stick.

Watching as three of the crew churn the water with the giant size steering paddle, one can almost imagine a majestic spirit gazing down in amusement. The paddle is pushed and pulled in rhythmic elliptical movements to turn the canoe astern to the shore, and a child nearby comments, “There’s solar panels on that boat”; such awareness. Indeed one would think that the waʽa was an enchanted vessel powered by magic, the motors run so quietly. Once the waʽa is turned there is still much to do, requiring a “try wait” attitude; there is a pensive quietude in the crowd that has gathered, as all concentrate on reaching out with piko energy, just as ancient voyagers traveling across the vast Pacific were tethered to shore by those who waited for their return. But now the waʽa is safely in port and the crew is anchoring her with tangible tethers extended out in four directions and tied to sturdy ironwood trees. The deck is set to rights and the crew gathers in a circle with Captain Bob Perkins, meditating on their journey and giving thanks to nā Akua. Clapping three times, the crew clusters, facing the shore, beginning a series of exchanged chants. The crew chants and many onshore join in. Next Chadd Paishon calls out across the water, requesting permission with the crew adding their voices. This is followed by a series of questions and requests from the crew, answered by many voices onshore. “Aloha e”, begin the Keaukaha ʽOhana and Pua turns to them, her already radiant face is enveloped in a sudden glow of sunlight.

and including: her daughters, Kealiʽi Bertelmann, Keala Kehuanui, Kala Akima, Pomai Bertelmann and Patty Soloman. The previous night, Hawane and Kealiʽi Bertelmann were working their magic out under
the stars, on stage at the Kawaihae Canoe Club. “No hana hou.
Hawane your mom is here and she says you got to go to Hilo to greet
Hikianalia; she coming in the morning.” But they did manage a touching hana hou, which was a song written by Hawane for Pua on her 50th birthday, joined onstage by Pua doing a graceful hula. In the morning, although Pua and herʽohana had driven from Waimea the previous night, arriving around midnight, their faces are alight with sheer joy.

all-encompassing embrace. Kealiʽi and Pualani approach with their two keiki, Kumano clinging to his Uncle Chadd in amazement, a powerful memory being sealed in his heart. Rod Floro, teacher from Keaau and waʽa crew, brings his son to be touched with aloha, followed by Pomai Bertelmann and old friend and cultural practitioner Keoni Aweau Turalde, who had spotted the waʽa from his lanai.

the waʽa will now have an escort of ancient design, if not ancient materials. Kamehameha made use of the western technology of his time that suited his purpose, and in like fashion, the technology that enhances the waʽa while benefitting the planet will support their efforts back to the future. And even though the outcome of this voyage was much more secure than in ancient times, the fervor at her safe arrival was no less for it. The spirits of the voyaging ancestors were there with us, a cheering, welcoming presence. Mahalo e nā Akua.