March 2014

The Fishing Village of Ho'okena located in South Kona boasts the largest fleet of plank built canoes still being used for opelu fishing in Hawaii.

Feburary 2014

Hawaiians had many names for the different sea surface conditions cause by the strength and durations of the wind blowing over the oceans.  Here is a chart describing the Hawaiian name and the sea conditions that are described by those names.

January 2014

Keauhou bay was formed by three lava flows over the past 10,000 years.  At the head of the bay, behind the present day Pier and parking area, is the Pali  Ahu'ula.  Ahu'ula was formed by  a lava flow from the Mountain of Maunaloa some 10,000 years ago.  About  5,000 years ago, a flow from Hualalai formed the south side of the bay on which the Keauhou Resort and Spa now stands.  The north side of the bay was formed  750 years ago by another lava flow from Hualalai.

December 2013

The Hawaiian sail is a specialized oceanic sprit sail called a "crab claw".  Being thee sided with the apex at the bottom of the mast, the upper section of the sail had a U shape to it.  This U in the sail   served as kind of a safety valve allowing wind to escape over the top of the sail thus reducing the force that could capsize a canoe.

December 2012

 There are more than a hundred names for different parts of the Hawaiian Canoe.  The attached diagrams lists the major parts of the canoe.

December 2013

COWICHAN TRIBE 

Members of the Cowichan Tribe of Vancover Island BC Canada described their "Snulhwulh" (Canoes) and voyaing practices and traditions with Na Pe'a students at Keauhou Bay.  Mahalo nui to Aunty Mollly Peter and Uncle Dan for their stories and lessons of life.