Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 4, 1 April 1988 — $27,000 Needed for Project [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

$27,000 Needed for Project

Largest Gathering of Koa Canoes is HCRA Goal

One of the largest gatherings of koa canoes in Hawaii is the goal of the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association when it hosts the Third World Sprint Aug. 7-14 at Keehi Lagoon. Nearly 8,000 paddlers, including 3,000 foreigners, are scheduled to compete in the eanoe sprints and marathons. The week-long event, first to be held in Hawaii, is sponsored by the International Polynesian Canoe Federation. The three forming members of the federation are California, Tahiti and Hawaii.

The first World Sprint was held in Long Beach, Calif., in 1984 and the second in 1986 in Tahiti. Among countries slated to compete here are Tahiti, New Caledonia, Fiji, Australia, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa. California will also be sending crews. Miehael Tongg, HCRA president, and Leimomi Perreira, the Association's historian who is charged with the koa canoes, told Ka Wai Ola O OHA in a recent visit that they know of 19 koa canoes now in existence on the neighbor islands and 27 on Oahu. "We believe there are more and we would like to find them. We would like to know the whereabouts of any of them still in existence," Tongg explained. "Where are they now?" Perreira asked.

Tongg said it is hoped that these canoes will be the focal points for the Pacific Canoe Folk Arts Conference being hosted by the Hawaii Maritime Center in August. It will coincide with the opening of the new maritime museum currently under eonstruction at Pier 7. One of the biggest obstacles ,facing the two

HCRA officials is funding. Money is needed, they pointed out, to transport the canoes, house them, pay for security and document eaeh one in a proposed publication of a book. For this, they estimated a need of $27,000. They are already eonducting a fund raising campaign. Those interested in sending donations may do so in care of Miehael T ongg, HCRA president, 169 S. Kukui St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Make checks payable to Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association.

Cultural and food booths will be built at the racing site. They will feature arts and crafts, demonstrations and sale of a wide variety of Polynesian and Hawaiian products. There will also be ethnic foods sold. Those interested in renting booth space are asked to contact Moku Froiseth at 732-2719 or Claire Pruitt at 842-82 16. An educational booth on the making and history of canoes is also contemplated. The search for koa canoes is an ambitious one and Tongg and Perreira are hoping for success in both fund raising and a great gathering of koa canoes. Tongg may be reached at 526-1969.

Leimomi Perreira and Miehael Tongg