Experience the “Spirit of the Wayfinder” at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s fifth annual Wayfinding & Navigation Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Experience the “Spirit of the Wayfinder” at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s fifth annual Wayfinding & Navigation Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
This festival explores oceanic wayfinding, a traditional system of navigating the open ocean without the use of instrumentation. Using concepts of astronomy, oceanography, meteorology, and ecology, modern day wayfinders are stewards of collective knowledge handed down through generations.
“Wayfinding is more than getting from one place to another; wayfinding is a legacy of exploring, understanding and stewarding our environmental resources for the next generation,” said Kalepa Baybayan, associate director and navigator-in-residence.
This event will feature hands-on wayfinding and navigation activities, makahiki games, special guest presentations, a featured documentary, and live music free to the public. Regular admission rates apply to the exhibit hall and planetarium.
This year’s event will honor Kahoolawe as a piko, a nourishing life source for Hawaii and its people. Kanaloa, the ancient name for Kahoolawe, is a traditional center for wayfinding and navigation. From this piko emanated a renaissance of culture, identity, and aloha aina, one’s love and deep connection for earth, sea and sky.
Listen to stories from a few of the early warriors and early voyagers of Kahoolawe who were instrumental in the Native Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance: Pua Kanakaole Kanahele, the Kukahiko ohana, Emmett Aluli, Walter Ritte, Davianna McGregor, Craig Neff, Kalei Nu‘uhiwa, Billy Richards and Baybayan, with special musical guest Jon Osorio.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supports the festival. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies and procedures to participate in this event should contact Jeff Harman at jharman@imiloahawaii.org or 969-9705, as soon as possible, but no later than 10 days before the event.
For more information on the festival, please visit the website at www.imiloahawaii.org or call 969-9703.