On March 13th, 2011, Kilohana Outrigger Canoe Club welcomed the arrival of our newest wa’a, Hālani, a Mirage M2, shipped in directly from Hawaii. Though she arrived in late October, she had rested amongst her wa’a ohana until she could be properly presented and blessed to the ohana and waters of Kilohana.
Like her brothers and sisters before her, much care and consideration was taken in planning this special day. It was to be a ceremony to pay honor, and respect to a sea worthy racing vessel that will carry paddlers swiftly and safely across many waters. Though canoe blessings can vary from club to club as interpretations of traditions can differ, the board of directors, stayed true to the history ceremonies of years past, and did an awesome job.
On this overcast Sunday morning, a freshly cleaned and traditionally rigged canoe adorned our shell beach. Beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and lei, gifts from the membership, the crowd began to grow as guests started to arrive. Many veteran paddlers had come for the celebration, some who hadn’t been in a canoe for decades, but still hold Kilohana close to their heart.
We were also fortunate to have a few paddlers who belong to a halau that offered to be a part of our special day. It was a very gracious contribution and we have now gained additional friends and ohana through them.
Performing the actual blessings were two men who have been constant images of spiritual leadership in the paddling community. We know them as Uncle Sam and Uncle Les from Ke Kai O’Uhane in Monterey. They had driven all the way up from Monterey that morning to help with the ceremony. Uncle Les spoke first, about his relationship with Kilohana and his appreciation for our traditional values. He also helped to explain to our newest members (and perhaps a refresher for the veterans) the meaning and purpose of a canoe blessing. A very poignant and heart felt speech that left hardly a dry eye.
Uncle Sam performed the actual ceremony, but not before he told to the crowd of spectators – over 100 of us, about the spirit and mana that the MSI site and Kilohana have in so much abundance. The whale, or as he referred to it as, the aumakua (a family god, or guardian angel) that had washed up on our shores many years ago and was buried beneath the grassy mound, and has created such a strong spiritual presence. As all 100+ of us held hands and surrounded the canoe and the ‘aumakua, I know I felt it too as intermittent rain drops fell and a small shore break rippled within the channel, though there were no vessels present that could have created such movement… chicken skin.
Uncle Sam continued with the ceremony, now referring to her as, Hālani – breath of heaven. After being sprinkled with Hawaiian salt and waters from the bay, we all placed our hands upon her and asked for her guidance and courage and offered our welcomes. She was then loaded into the water as crews paddled her for a short distance and placed offering of flower petals into the bay.
It was truly an awe inspiring day and we missed those who were unable to attend. We also missed our paddling ohana who have passed before us, though we knew they were there. We enjoyed the rest of the morning with a generous buffet spread and talking story with our ohana.
Aloha Nui.
Mahalo to Bev Concepcion for the wonderful photographs and Lisa Bie for recounting the story.
