Hokualaka'i makes its debut

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Hokualaka'i raised its two red sails in Ke'ehi Lagoon yesterday for its maiden cruise and became the latest member of a growing fleet of Hawai'i voyaging canoes.

The Hokualaka'i prepares to dock at the Marine Education Training Center. It is the first large voyaging canoe to be constructed of composite materials, including foam and fiberglass, chosen instead of wood for easier maintenance and increased safety. Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hokualaka'i — its name means "guiding star" — was designed to navigate using the ancient techniques of Hawaiians. But it was built from modern-day materials.

"Hokualaka'i is the first of its kind for large voyaging canoes," said master navigator Chad Kalepa Baybayan, the project manager. "It is the first to be made out of composite materials, including foam and fiberglass, which were chosen for easier maintenance and increased safety. ... By using the composite materials, we save our precious koa."

Although Hokualaka'i was built using modern-day techniques and materials, it was greeted yesterday by oli, or Hawaiian chants; the blowing of an 'ole, or conch shell; gifts such as a spiritual stone brought from New Zealand; and lei that were draped across Hokualaka'i's twin hulls.

"All the double-hulled families came here to show their support," said Nani Na'ope, a teacher at the Kanehunamoku Hawaiian charter school, which has its own, smaller double-hulled canoe.

Hawai'i's other deep-water voyaging canoes — Hokule'a, Hawai'i Loa, Makali'i and Iosepa — all were made by various groups, mostly of koa. Hawai'i Loa was built from sitka spruce logs donated by Alaskan natives.

Three other voyaging canoes are under construction: Namahoe on Kaua'i, Mo'okiha on Maui and an unnamed one on Kawaihae on the Big Island under the direction of Micronesian master navigator Mau Piailug, according to Ka'iulani Murphy of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

"The number of canoes," said Kanehunamoku teacher Pua Lincoln, "is just getting bigger and bigger every year. This one just adds to the list."

Some of the people who showed up yesterday to greet Hokualaka'i wore T-shirts that read "Think Wa'a,"calling attention to the Hawaiian word for canoe.

Hokualaka'i eventually will be berthed somewhere in Hilo Bay, perhaps by the end of the year.

Hokualaka'i captain Chad Kalepa Baybayan gets a hug from University of Hawai'i Professor Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa after the voyaging canoe docked. The name Hokualaka'i translates into "guiding star." Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser

The mold used to create it cost $100,000 and the canoe is valued at $322,000. But the mold can be reused by other groups to build their own canoes, said Amy Kalili of 'Aha Punana Leo.

For now, during its sea trials, Hokualaka'i will dock at the Marine Education Training Center off Sand Island next to its more famous, older cousin, Hokule'a, which energized a generation of sailors to learn the ancient "wayfaring" techniques and helped rejuvenate pride in Hawaiian culture.

Hokule'a also paved the way for other canoes such as Hoku-

alaka'i — and for sailing students such as 17-year-old Noelani Duffey, who would some day like to set sail aboard Hawai'i's newest deep-ocean, voyaging canoe.

"Hopefully one day," Duffey said, as Hokualaka'i pushed away from the dock amid chants and cheers for its first, hourlong cruise. "But today isn't that day."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8085.