‘Imiloa hosts ‘Hokule‘a: The Revival Begins’

To celebrate ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s 13th Annual Wayfinding event, ‘Imiloa and the Ama Olukai Foundation are pleased to present a live virtual talk story session on the history of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s formative years, “Hokule‘a: The Revival Begins, 1975-1980.” This presentation showcases the formative years of the Polynesian Voyaging Society leading up to the iconic voyaging canoe, Hokule‘a.

A panel of select crew members will share their remarkable stories and unprecedented experiences associated with the formative years of the Polynesian Voyaging Society leading up to the birth of Hokule‘a. The panel of five presenters are Captain Gordon Pi‘ianai‘a, Billy Richards, John Kruse, Snake Ah Hee and Kalepa Baybayan. Executive Director Dan Mclnerny of the Ama Olukia Foundation will introduce and moderate the presentation.

Given the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, this year’s 13th Annual Wayfinding celebration will be in the form of a free live virtual presentation, followed by a Q&A session. The event will run from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23.

“The Ama Olukai Foundation has been a proud sponsor of ‘Imiloa’s annual Wayfinding celebration for the past several years and we are happy to continue our support of this important cause,” said McInerny. “Our mission is to partner with organizations that honor Hawaiian culture and traditions by preserving the ocean and land, and ‘Imiloa is an incredible resource for our community that does just that.” The Foundation supports programs that are designed to serve Hawaiian communities, partnering with organizations that promote the Hawaiian culture from its ancestral past to present day.

“Keeping our voyaging stories and connections alive is a kuleana that ‘Imiloa embraces,” said Executive Director Ka‘iu Kimura.

Register to attend this free online event and get your chance to ask questions of the presenters. To register, visit www.imiloahawaii.org.