I Nui Ke Aho

In 2022 the first year after the COVID-19 pandemic, I Nui Ke Aho was able to more actively return to the the Waa (voyaging canoe) component of our non-profit. We hosted Na Le Waa, which is an 8-week program consisting of place-based learning of the wahi kupuna (special places) on the North Shore of Oahu. We visited the navigational heiau (temple) of Kahokuwelowelo, Maeaea Beach and Waimea Bay to explore the connection of aina (land) and kai (nearshore ocean waters). Captain Worthington shared the importance of community, different roles aboard a waa, kilo (nature observations), scientific studies, the star compass and Hawaiian values. We sailed aboard our canoe, Wanana Paoa, and discussed the importance of our home and the pono (honorable) decisions we make as part of our community. This was the second time we hosted this program, and this time we made a deeper connection with our community. Participants walked away having increased their knowledge of traditional Polynesian voyaging and were eager to participate in another navigation program in the near future. We hope that with consistent programming we will maintain the level of learning to allow us to build upon previous lessons and create a group of experienced waa men and women. We hope to perpetuate Hawaiian cultural practices through our participants and their families. We also hosted regular volunteer days to complete waa maintenance and share with our community about sailing practices including kilo, knot tying, the navigational star compass and sailing dynamics

In 2022, for the Education/Outreach program component, I Nui Ke Aho was happy to be able to host school groups and community members again, instead of having to rely on virtual classrooms. We conducted kilo (nature observations); taught traditional Hawaiian voyaging lessons such as celestial navigation, using the star compass; and honed other observation skills that are part of cultural knowledge and the cultural practice of voyaging. We also visited schools and taught students about roles aboard a waa (canoe), parts of the waa and the star compass. Also, we collaborated with other North Shore nonprofit organizations, sharing about each of our organizations. We came together to educate our community about the unique places in our section of Oahu and how we can better care for them.