HOCVS & Fairmont Kea Lani announce 3rd Annual Gathering of the Voyagers

Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society will host Gathering of the Voyagers, a three-day celebration of Hawaiian and Oceania culture, at Fairmont Kea Lani, Aug. 23-25, 2024. Bringing together revered voyagers, navigators, canoe builders, and cultural practitioners, Gathering of the Voyagers invites the community to come together for a weekend of ceremony, demonstrations, mākeke and kanikapila at Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, a location historically significant to Polynesia’s rich seafaring culture.

“We are voyagers,” said Anela Gutierrez, Executive Director of the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society. “From our ancient origins across the vast Pacific Ocean we arrived by double-hulled canoes and made these islands our home. Carrying with us the plants and animals to sustain us, the values to carry us forward, and our families to continue our traditions into the future. Gathering of the Voyagers is a celebration of our great Pacific ʻohana and the cultures and values which guide us.”

Gathering of the Voyagers will commence on Friday, Aug. 23 with a Hiʻuwai & E Ala Ē Ceremony followed by traditional protocol to welcome the arrival of the voyagers. Festivities continue throughout the weekend with powerful presentations with revered practitioners, paddling voyages, and a day filled with interactive cultural workshops, including ʻukulele, hula, and oli classes.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, voyagers will arrive by canoe and attendees are encourages to observe traditional protocol at their welcoming. The arriving canoes will carry honored guests, speakers, and presenters and lei will be presented along with ho‘okupu that will be carried up to the ahu. A special focus in this year’s events is on Austronesian Peoples and their migration.

The remainder of the afternoon will be led by six delegations of Pacific Peoples each sharing song, dance and stories from their homelands through a cultural exchange presentation titled “Pacific Peoples; One Ocean, One ʻOhana”. Featured groups include Bahay Kubo Foundation of Maui, Maui Micronesian Society, Tongan Society of Maui, Nā Waʻa Mauō, Quinault Nation of Washington State, and Hālau Hula O Keola Aliʻi O Ke Kai.

The celebration continues on Sunday, Aug. 25, with a 10-mile paddle around Molokini, for registered paddlers departing from Keoneopolo Beach at 8 a.m. followed by a presentation and Q&A with Maui Nui’s own voyagers, Penny Rawlings Martin and Kimokeo Kapahulehua. Gathering of the Voyagers will conclude with a closing ‘Awa Ceremony where participants will join together and reflect on the weekend.

“We are honored to partner with the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society for the third annual Gathering of the Voyagers” said Michael Pye, Regional Vice President, Hawaiʻi and General Manager, Fairmont Kea Lani. “Serving our community, perpetuating Hawaiian culture, and paving the way for future generations is at the heart of what we do at Fairmont Kea Lani. We remain humbled to serve as a conduit for this powerful event”.

All presentations, demonstrations, and exhibits at Gathering of the Voyagers are free and open to the public with the exception of the paddle around Molokini; paid registration is required to participate but all are welcome to partake in the oceanfront celebration. On Friday and Saturday a local mākeke will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., where a world of handmade products and unique Hawai‘i-made gifts will be available for purchase. A preview of the schedule is listed below and additional information can be found at www.gatheringofthevoyagers.com.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, August 23
6 a.m.                Hiʻuwai and E Ala Ē Ceremony
7 a.m.                Hoe Waʻa! Interactive Paddling Demonstrations
10 a.m.              ʻUkulele Workshop with Kumu Kanoe Kamaunu
11 a.m.              ‘What is Makahiki’ with Christopher “Ikaika” Nakahashi
12 p.m.              Oli (Chant) Workshop with Kumu Kapono Kamaunu                                            
1 p.m.                Haʻa Hokuleʻa: Haka Workshop with Kumu Kapono Kamaunu   
2 p.m.                Determining the Weather with Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur
3 p.m.                Hula Workshop with Kumu Kanoe Kamaunu                                                        
4 p.m.                Honoring Papa Mau Piailug
7 p.m.                Star Navigation with Kala Baybayan-Tanaka

Saturday, August 24
7 a.m.                Arrival of the Voyagers  
10 a.m.-5 p.m.  ‘Pacific Peoples; One Ocean, One `Ohana’
7 p.m.                Kanikapila at Pilina

Sunday, August 25
8 a.m.                Voyage around Molokini, *Advance Registration required
11 a.m.              Honoring our Voyagers:  Presentation and Q&A
3 p.m.                Closing ‘Awa Ceremony