For many years, I've been interested in the cultures of the Pacific and how they arrived there. This led me to become a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (based in Honolulu, Hawai'i) and to read extensively on this topic. Especially as an outrigger paddler, I was very excited when Hikianalia, the PVS's voyaging canoe, visited California in October 2018:
https://www.hokulea.com/voyage/hikianalias-voyage-to-california/
Canoe club members that I knew didn't plan to attend the Hikianalia's arrival, but I just couldn't stand to miss it. I contacted acquaintances in another club, Dana Outriggers, and expressed how important it was to meet this canoe when she arrived at Dana Point, California.
Taking a weekday off work, we met up as a 6-woman outrigger crew. We were one of the only canoes to paddle out onto the ocean to meet the Hikianalia as she approached the coastline. A Chumash crew in their traditional canoe also paddled out but they were unable to go as far as an outrigger. We paddled alongside the Hikianalia, our steerswoman sang to their crew in the Hawaiian language, and they responded...it was absolutely amazing. We accompanied the voyaging canoe near to land, through the jetty, and into the docking area.
There we were joined by several other canoes where we circled Hikianalia several times as her crew requested permission to dock from local tribal representatives. Hula, songs, and chanting welcomed her. The canoe I was in nestled right next to the dock, directly behind the Hikianalia's HUGE steering blade: it was magical to be so close and to be a part of these ceremonies. It was, absolutely, the most moving and wonderful paddling experience that I've ever had. In this photo, our crew is in the green and white va'a (canoe) and I'm in seat three wearing a red shirt.
