Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2015 — ʻOLELO HAWAIʻI FILLS THE AIRWAVES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻOLELO HAWAIʻI FILLS THE AIRWAVES

The crews of the Makani 'Olu and Hikianalia cross paths during their respective expeditions to Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nahonal Monument and have a hālāwai (meeting) filled with mele and 'ōlelo Hawai'i on the open oeean. - Courtesy: Kaipo Kiaha, 'Oiwi /V On July 4, the afternoon watch aboard the Makani 'Olu reported sighting of a sail on the horizon and reported it to Capt. Kalei Velasco. With the ship making good time on her return to Kaua'i after eight days of solitude in Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nahonal Monument, the sighting was a weleome development. Radio static suddenly burst throughout the eahin with one word coming through clearly - "Hikianalia." Afterradio contact was established m with Hikianalia captain Kaleomanuiwa Wong, conversation in 'ōlelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language) between the two captains filled the airwaves. Wa'a and ship were soon alongside eaeh other, and after exchanging mele, the two groups engaged in an excited conversation as a part of an impromptu meeting of the lāhui in the middle of the sea. With the last rays of the sun lighting the western horizon, the groups parted ways and were onee again alone with their thoughts and kuleana in the vast expanse of Kanaloa. ■