Mauloa canoe visits Keahou Bay
On Tuesday, Mauloa, the sister canoe of the Hokulea, will be arriving at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay for a community cultural event in celebration of her 25th birthday. In partnership with the Na Kalai Waa organization, the event is to help further canoe culture and education in Hawaii. The canoe’s visit in Keauhou is part of an islandwide sail in the month of September.
Created from a koa tree from the Keauhou forests, and sculpted from stones sourced from Maunakea, the Mauloa is an ode to the ancient practice of canoe making using traditional tools and native materials. Serving as a symbol representing the rebirth of ocean voyaging, the Mauloa represents the craftsmanship which Hawaiians expertly curated hundreds of years ago. As part of the reawakening of historical traditions, the Mauloa was constructed under the guidance and wisdom of Master Navigator Mau Piailug using traditional practices, which differs from its sister vessel the Hokulea which is made from nontraditional sources.
Created from the desire to strengthen ancient canoe building traditions which have become scarce in Hawaii, the knowledge to build a coastal canoe was sought after near and far. Mau Piailug traveled from Satawal, Micronesia to Hawaii in 1991 to teach the tradition of canoe building, which has remained a part of modern life in Micronesia.
“We are excited to welcome the community and schools to learn about the ancient navigation and craftsmanship that’s interwoven into the history of Keauhou, and Pacific Islands as a whole,” said JoAnn Lenhardt, director of operations at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa.
The community is invited to visit the canoe starting on Saturday, Sept. 22. A series of workshops will be offered including lauhala and cordage workshops, aipono trainings and specials talks. The program finishes with a panel presentation about Mauloa on Sept. 20. After the conclusion of the event, the Mauloa will sail from Keauhou to Kawaihae.
To schedule your school or group, please email nakalaiwaa@gmail.com or call 885-9500.