Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 6, 1 Iune 1995 — Polynesian Renaissance [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Polynesian Renaissance

by Moanike'ala Akaka Trustee, Hawai'i

The Polynesian Renaissance, bom of the Art and skills of celestial navigation is a pride to all, not only Polynesians — but to all who ean grasp the historic evolution of human-kind and his achievements on the

planet and most recently beyond. Amongst the greatest achievements must be counted the feats of Polynesian navigators who guided their great canoes across thousands of miles to tiny islands in the vast and seemingly endless Pacific Oeean. I was honored to be in Nuku Hiva, Marquesas midApril at a gathering for the

return of the Polynesian canoes to Hawai'i, an historical event halted for hundreds of years as colonialism set into our Pacific domain. From the airport it was almost three hours of bumpy, unpaved road by truck to Taiohae Bay. Ride was shared with Hālau Maui Nui O Kama. We

stopped along the way to gather Ka'ie'ie, awa, ti leaves, palapalai and more for the send-off ceremonies of the canoes the next day; this was not done for a thousand years. This spiritual event included chants to gods Kanaloa, Ku, Kane and Lono that have been passed down from our ancestors for generations. Kumu Keli'i Tau'a

researched the ceremonies and genealogical chants over several years, presented by he and his haumana (OHA helped pay for haumana preparation). This group represented us Hawaiians honorably; as did the students from Kamehameha Schools, who had been in French Polynesia for weeks sharing song and dance under the

direction of teacher Randie Fong. The Marquesans led by their mueh loved mayor of Taiohae had practiced the dances for months, including the pig dance, (after all, Kamapua'a eame from the Marquesas), for this auspicious event, while Cook Islanders, Maori and Tahitians

also shared ho'okupu. The whole village turned out. I was to stay with Tupuna Tautini who have names like Lili'uokalani and Kamehameha in her 'ohana, mueh aloha shared. While Hōkūle'a has been sailing since '76, this was the maiden voyage for the Makali'i and Hawai'iloa as well as Cook Island canoes Te 'Ao O Tonga and Takitumu and New Zealand's Te 'Aurere. Thanks to the Hōkūle'a whieh took the first and subsequent voyages to the Central and South Paeilie there has been a renewed sense of unity amongst Pacific Islanders whose peoples are bound through ancient genealogies. We are renewing those links with 'ohana. We are proud of all the canoes as they arrive in Hilo. Te 'Au O Tonga first, followed by Makali'i, and the rest of the canoes safe at home after weeks at sea sailing north from the Marquesas. A job well done to all those who had a part and supported this historic achievement. I am especially proud OHA gave $89,000 for the Makali'i; she represented us well as did the other canoes that eame from

Hawai'i. The Makali'i was built primarily by grassroots efforts of Big Island residents, school children, kupuna as well, who raised over $100,000 on their own and contributed mueh hard labor. Onee the voyage is over, Nā Kalaiwa'a will continue their educational sessions in the schools, for this eanoe was built for the kamali'i (youths) of this island. All the canoes will be excellent outdoor classrooms for our youth as they learn to appreciate the feats of our Polynesian ancestors, as well as math, science and celestial navigation. It is my hope, and I believe this is shared by all who aloha the 'āina — that just as we found our way across the unknown oceans in the past, we shall regain our knowledge and mana and add these riches to the potential advantages technology appropriately applied, offers us. In so doing we will be helping all the world, its habitants and environs. This is our aloha to all and the highest praise to the Almighty Creator. Mālama pono. Ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono.