Ua Hiki o Mo‘okiha E: Mo‘okiha has Arrived!

Moʻokiha o Piʻilani, Mauiʻs own traditional double-hull voyaging canoe arrived in the waters of Maluaka on Wednesday morning, July 26, 2017. The visit signifies the first visit of Moʻokiha o Pi’ilani to Mākena.

The voyaging canoe crew joined in on the last two dates of Mākena Golf and Beach Clubʻs Keiki Kiaʻi Kai Academy, a complimentary summer ocean safety and stewardship program for Maui’s youth ages 8-18.

Participants got the unique experience of boarding the voyaging canoe, as well as learning traditional navigation and sailing instruction from crew members.

Mākena Golf & Beach Club introduced its’ Keiki Kiaʻi Kai Academy, a complimentary summer ocean safety and stewardship program for Maui’s youth. Guided by Mākena’s watermen and water women on Maluaka Beach, kids have the opportunity to learn valuable ocean safety practices and build conservation awareness through fun on-the-beach and in-the-ocean activity.

Through partnerships with other coastal and open water experts, Mākena’s Keiki Kiaʻi Kai aims to increase youth self-confidence, physical conditioning, and ocean awareness through the introduction of water safety, first aid and rescue protocol. The program also looks to include cultural and environmental experts of the area to incorporate coastal stewardship and conservational awareness training for the participants.

Mākena Golf and Beach Club waterman, Keoni Marciel, paddles out to meet Moʻokiha o Pi’ilani. Photo taken by: Amber Quale; Photo courtesy of Mākena Golf & Beach Club.

Moʻokiha o Pi’ilani crew call out in chant upon arrival to Maluaka Beach. Photo taken by: Amber Quale; Photo courtesy of Mākena Golf & Beach Club.

Keiki from throughout the Maui community were able to participate in Mākena Golf & Beach Club’s Keiki Kiaʻi Kai Academy. Keiki participate in a teamwork exercise as part of the program’s ocean safety activities. (From left to right: Ethan Peterson, Kody Izak, Jake Elumba, Averie Feig, Sage Kovach, Lance Bulinai, Noah Feig) Photo taken by: Amber Quale; Photo courtesy of Mākena Golf & Beach Club.