Granite Cliff Studio

I have been a Maui resident for just over ten years. My wife and I enjoy driving around the island and taking photos of landmarks and events. While we do these activities we are always trying to learn about the culture, environment and history. Luckily, Maui is full of people who also participate and like to share about their favorite things. Recently, we have had opportunities to learn about the Maui voyaging canoe.

Mo’okiha O’ Pi’ilani is actually a lizard goddess that protected the area near 505 Front Street that was once home to King Pi’ilani. The lizard was actually his daughter who passed and became the guardian. The double hull canoe was named in her honor. I think it is very important and helps create that awareness and history of Lahaina and the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Double hull canoes were built in Polynesia for large groups of people to travel and migrate throughout the many islands of the Pacific Ocean. Imagine no airplanes and no motorized boats with GPS. People of Oceania might need to migrate for food supply or other environmental reasons. Canoes like the Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani have been built recently to help continue education and help the youth learn about their ancestors and continue to practice navigation techniques.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with a couple captains of the Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani. Both were integral parts in the Malama Honua journey of the Hokulea. Listening to these gentleman talk about the time they spent with the crew and the children that spend time maintaining the canoe was an honor. The canoe itself is made of wood and tied together with rope, very simple. The canoe is designed for two people to sit in navigation chairs and use points on the canoe to navigate using the stars or horizon markers. It is very important to learn the Hawaiian Star Compass. This is a guide to the sky and becomes your map. The voyaging canoes are built for long distances, you wouldn’t just take a day trip to the other side of the island. Fishing and the storing of fruits, vegetables and water were very integral in survival as well.

As a young man, probably due to where I grew up, I was always curious about John Muir and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Being on foot with almost endless supplies seems like a luxury compared to Polynesian voyaging canoe expeditions.

The Hui O Wa’a Kaulua is a nonprofit organization. To help sustain these wonderful canoes, please check out their website and feel free to reach out. http://www.huiowaa.org/contact/