Maui’s voyaging canoe Mo`okiha O Pi`ilani has finally found a permanent mooring in Ma`alaea.
“Hui o Wa`a Kaulua (The Assembly of the Double-Hull Canoes) is pleased to announce that Mo`okiha o Pi`ilani, on this historical day, has secured a new home with a permanent mooring permit at Ma`alaea Harbor,” states a news release sent out by Honu Media’s Katherine Smith on Apr. 8. “Having Mo`okiha o Pi`ilani in a permanent home at Mā’alaea Harbor supports Hui o Wa`a Kaulua to realize its vision to cultivate and support future generations of voyagers to perpetuate Hawaiian culture.”
The canoe is the first one like it on Maui in about 600 years. Previously parked on blocks at Mala Wharf, the canoe’s crew has been looking for a better home for about a year now.
Securing the canoe’s home was the result of actions from a range of agencies, officials and private individuals, including the Polynesian Voyaging Society, ‘Ohana Wa`a, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, Ma`alaea Harbormaster, Kai Hawaii, Inc., Maui Moorings and the US Coast Guard, according to the news release.
Click here for the cover story I wrote last year on the canoe, its mission and its need for a true home.
For more information go to Huiowaa.org.
Photo: Sean M. Hower
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