HAWAIIAN OUTRIGGER CANOE VOYAGING SOCIETY presents
Gathering of The Voyagers
November 22 & 23, 2025
Lea, Goddess of Canoe Builders
The Hawaiian goddess of canoe builders, was known to transform herself into the ʻelepaio bird and she would fly from the slopes and forest of Haleakala down to the coastline that we now call Wailea, translated to "Waters of Lea". This location was known to be the gateway and resting area for our ancient voyagers. This was their first and last stop when traveling through the Kealakahiki Channel (translated to "pathway to Tahiti"), which is located between Kahoʻolawe and Lanaʻi Islands. We are honored to celebrate our voyaging culture in this historical location.
Mākeke
A marketplace of makers, designers, historians, practitioners, doers and dreamers.
Come explore a world of handmade products that tell the stories of the people who created them. Find unique gifts for everyone on your list, and treat yourself to something unique and wonderful that couldn’t be found anywhere else..
Saturday, November 22, 2025
9am to 1pm, outside the ballrooms
Saturday, November 22
9am to 1pm: Hele Mai! Come join us for interactive workshops and demonstrations. Kea Lani Ballrooms
Thereʻs lots to learn from our cultural practitioners. They will all be here to share, teach and talk story.
In the ballroom: Flower lei making, Ti leaf lei braiding, Lauhala weaving, Coconut demonstration, Kapa making.. Indoor Planetarium from 4pm to 6pm.
On the terrace: Paddle making with Malama Chun, Kaula making, and Canoe building with Eselugupi Plasito.
9am: Hālau Hula Malani O Kapehe Kea Lani Ballroom
Under the direction of Kumu Hula Mapuana Samonte-Nowak, Hālau Hula Malani O Kapehe strives to share the love of Hula and Hawaiian traditions as inspired and preserved by our Kupuna. She does so by teaching from the heart, ensuring this knowledge carries forward to future generations. Enjoy the beauty of our Hawaiian Culture through Hula, Oli and Mele.
10am: Makahiki Kea Lani Ballroom
What is Makahiki, how do we identify it and what are the protocols for this sacred time of the year. Meet Ikaika Nakahashi and learn about how we apply culture and protocols to our life, today. Christopher “Ikaika” Nakahashi is from beautiful Haʻikū, Maui. Ikaika is a lecturer of Hawaiian ethnobotany at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and he serves as the Board President for the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Wailuku. In addition, Ikaika is a board member for the Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā organization that advocates for streamflow restoration. Ikaika is also a crew member with Moʻokiha o Piʻilani, a Hawaiian double-hulled voyaging canoe. Ikaika earned a Master of Science Degree in Botany from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Ikaika is a Hawaiian cultural plant expert with extensive training in Hawaiian religious ceremonies. Ikaika is passionate about Hawaiian culture and education, with an emphasis on traditional Hawaiian cooking and food production. Ikaika was featured on a national cooking show about traditional imu cooking.
11am Quinault Nation Protocol Kea Lani Ballroom
Join us as our canoe family from the Quinault Nation from Washington State share their dances, songs and stories. As Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest Coast, the canoes are an integral part of their culture and way of life. They will share the stories of their people and the voyages with their canoes.
8 am: Arrival of the Voyagers Polo Beach
Observe traditional protocol and welcoming of guests as they arrive by canoe. The canoes will arrive on Polo beach, carrying our honored guests, speakers, and presenters. Upon arrival on shore, protocol will begin with chants of asking permission to come ashore. Lei will be presented and hoʻokupu (gifts) will be carried up to the ahu (altar).
12 pm Hawaiian Star Navigation with Kala Tanaka Kea Lani Ballroom.
Learn how our Navigators look to the stars to find their way across the Pacific. Learn about the star compass and how it is used. Our stars are true maps. Learn to use this map and you will never be lost. Kala Baybayan-Tanaka is the Navigator, Captain, and Education Director for Hui O Waʻa Kaulua. She is the daughter of the late Master Navigator, Kalepa Baybayan, who was a student of Papa Mau Piailug. Mau Piailug was the Master Navigator from Micronesia who taught the Hawaiians how to Navigate by the stars and was a vital part of Hokuleʻa and itʻs maiden voyage to Tahiti in 1976. With Kalaʻs passion to voyage and her intrigue and love of the stars, she learned Navigation from her father. She now teaches many of Maui Nuiʻs youth and young voyagers to navigate using indigenous knowledge and connection to the elements around her.
Sunday, November
7 am Voyage around Molokini Polo Beach.
In the spirit of voyaging, paddlers will meet at the Polo Lawn, to complete a 10 mile paddle around Molokini. Registration opens at 7am. All canoes will be on the water by 8am. Join as a team or sign up individually and we will set up a crew for you. Voyage includes a memorabilia hat and lunch.
12 pm Closing Awa Ceremony Ahu at Resort Entrance
Participants and Resort Leaders will take part in a traditional Awa Ceremony to reflect on the event. A commitment is made to continue to serve the community and perpetuate the culture.
Located at Fairmont Kea Lani Resort, Maui, Hawai’i
Located at the end of the Wailea Resort chain, just before Makena. This event is sure to have something for everyone; kama’aina and malihini (locals and visitors) alike.
The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort
4100 Wailea Alan Drive
Kihei, HI. 96753
