 Picture Credit: Alexandre Weiss |
The waʻa, or Hawaiian canoe, is much more than a means of transportation. It is an important part of Hawaiian history, connecting people, land and the ocean. Polynesian voyagers brought sophisticated canoe-building and navigation knowledge with them when they settled Hawaiʻi. Using large voyaging canoes, they crossed thousands of miles of open Pacific Ocean, navigating by the stars, sun, winds, currents and signs from nature. The first settlers reached the Hawaiian Islands around 1,000 to 1,200 years ago. The outrigger canoe, with a smaller float attached to the main hull, became an important part of everyday Hawaiian life. Canoes were used for fishing, travel and transportation between communities and islands. Building a canoe was a highly respected skill, requiring detailed knowledge of trees, materials, carving and the ocean. Canoes also played an important role in Hawaiian culture and ceremony. Today, paddling continues this tradition through recreational paddling, racing and cultural programs. For visitors to Hawaiʻi, seeing a waʻa on the water is therefore more than watching a boat. It is seeing a living connection to the remarkable ocean-going heritage of the Hawaiian people. Get Details about the upcoming Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Race: https://www.qlcanoerace.com/ |