Written by Kaleimaile Robia, AOTT Class of 2000

Makali’i, literally meaning the eyes of the chief, is also a group of stars better know as Pleiades. Makali’i is the name of a double-hulled Hawaiian canoe based at Kawaihae Harbor on the big island of Hawai’i. Every year many students have the opportunity to learn and voyage aboard this 54-foot sailing vessel. With the help of our coordinator, Al Nip, members of Hui o Wa’a Kaulua and the Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center, students from the Lahainaluna Voyaging Program had the wonderful opportunity to experience this camp run by Captain Clay Bertelmann and all his awesome Makali’i crew members who are part of Na Kalaiwa’a o Moku o Hawai’i.

We started the camp off with Hawaiian protocol by doing a chant and haka. Throughout this camp we learned about the parts and rigging on the canoe. We took water safety tests and practiced man overboard drills. We learned the responsibilities of all the different workstations on the canoe. Most importantly we learned the meaning of kokua and ‘ohana. Every day teams were responsible for preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner, making sure that the canoe was prepped and ready to sail, and food was prepped before greeting the sun with "E Ala E."

The Lahainaluna Voyaging students and faculty would like to express our sincere sympathy to the Solomon family as Aunty Marie passed away on October 1, 2002. We will all miss her teaching, guidance and aloha.

While sailing down the coast, we talked about "Pu’ukohola", which is a heiau (Hawaiian temple) at Kawaihae, and also talked about the significant beaches along the shoreline. The highlight of this trip was that we got to spend time with two very important kupuna. Anake Marie Solomon came to visit us while we camped at Mahukona and talked about her genealogy. She is from the Kamehameha bloodline and told us the story about the birthing of Kamehameha and how his people went about hiding him when he was a baby. It was amazing to have heard the story about that and to know the reason why the places along Kohala are named the way they are. It all tells the story of the King. The other kupuna was the most famous navigator in the Pacific, Mau Piailug. We had the most wonderful opportunity to learn from him. Mau taught us the Micronesian star compass and took us star gazing to learn the skies, once waking us up at 4 in the morning to view the beautiful Polynesian sky. He showed us how to read the sunset so that we could foretell the weather for the next day or two. It was awesome! I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to learn from him. He is such a humble man with so much love and knowledge.

Personally, I had a tremendous and enjoyable experience at this camp. Although we weren’t able to sail as much because of a lack of an escort vessel, it was a blessing in disguise as everything else made up for it. We got to talk with Aunty Marie and spend lots of time with Mau and his son, Sesario, as well as visiting the many beautiful petroglyphs at Kona Village. Each time I participate in a voyaging activity, I learn more and more about my heritage. It is my kuleana to practice what I learn and teach it so that it is never forgotten.

I would like thank Captain Clay and his crew for having us and giving us their knowledge and to the Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center, who constantly helps out with the activities of the Lahainaluna Voyaging program. Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo!!!

Audrey Chihara - You shouldn't give up on an opportunity to learn something, even though it may be difficult, especially an experience like this. I'm glad that I stuck it out and I learned that you should always finish what you start.

Kahikilani Niles - I had the chance to step into my ancestors shoes and experience a little about what they did and how they felt on voyages. This trip was one of the best trips I ever took. It brought new horizons to my life and I met some awesome people.