Pacific Voyagers Visit Kamehameha’s Temple
Today, Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Site was honored with special visitors from around the Pacific, who journeyed to our island on traditional voyaging canoes.
Today, crews from a fleet of seven traditional voyaging canoes from New Zealand, Samoa and Tahiti paid a visit to Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Site on the Big Island of Hawaii. Some of the voyaging canoes have been at sea since April traveling across the immense Pacific Ocean. According to members of the crew, they will continue on to California and later after hurricane season, will continue down towards South America and back across the Pacific to their home nations. Besides continuing the knowledge of voyaging, their journey seeks to bring awareness to the ocean.
It was a wonderful experience for the staff of the park who got to talk one-on-one with individuals who are keeping the culture of traditional voyaging alive and well. The crew members, who represent over a dozen nations, had the chance to listen to dear friend of the park Aunty Lani Akau from Kawaihae, who talked about the significance of Kawaihae, where the park is located.
Aunty Lani Akau "talks story" with the crew members of seven voyaging canoes from across the Pacific.
We wish them all the best as they journey on to distant lands, taking with them the knowledge and values of the Polynesian culture. A hui ho, malama pono….Take care until we meet again!
