New Program Aims to Perpetuate Traditional Hawaiian Voyaging

Photo Courtesy of Mākena Golf & Beach Club

Mauiʻs high school students can now take a free Hawaiian voyaging class with the Hui o Waʻa Kaulua.

The course, Papa Hoʻokele 1 (navigation class), is a partnership between the hui and the Mākena Golf & Beach Club to offer basic crew training on the traditional voyaging canoe Moʻokiha O Piʻilani.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about Hawaiian voyaging culture through history, values, protocol, seamanship skills, water safety, navigation and aloha ʻāina (love and care for the land).

“What better way to recognize the immense knowledge of Maui’s traditional voyagers than to support experiential education transmission for the next generation of those who love our natural environment,” Mākena Golf & Beach Club community relations manager Leahi Hall said in a press release.

The program will run from Dec. 14 to Feb. 22, with 19 days of instruction in Waikapū, Maʻalaea, Mākena and on the ocean.

Registration ends on Dec. 13 and the program is limited to 20 high school participants.

For more information, click here.