Waʻa Wednesday - Nānāimua, to look forward

April 29, 2015

Contributed by Pakalani Bello

Nānāimua, to look forward. That is the message to the students of Nānākuli High and Intermediate Schools, to look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. A dual enrollment program for high school juniors and seniors, students enroll in Nānāimua to take college courses that will earn them both high school and college credits while also making classroom connections to Hawaiian culture and real world experiences.

This year, students are taking Astronomy 110 taught by Leeward Community College professor, Darwin Bohnet. As students get a glimpse into the universe, learning about the planets, the solar systems, stars and galaxies, they are also being connected to Hawaiian culture as they learn that our ancestors were ancient astronomers, using their knowledge of the heavens and the oceans to navigate the open seas. With Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage underway, our Polynesian Navigators of today carry with them this ancient knowledge as they travel across the world.

Nānāimua students and staff took part in an all-day huakaʻi to learn more about Polynesian navigation and voyaging. At Kaʻiwakīloumoku, students learned about the Hawaiian Star Compass in an engaging way that helped them to visualize how Polynesian navigators use the skies to sail and voyage. Mark Ellis, KS Hoʻokahua Cultural Specialist and Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) Crewmember, also shared his experiences in voyaging with Hikianalia for the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage. Down at the Marine Educational Training Center (METC), students toured the facilities learning about the different educational programs available through Honolulu Community College and PVS.

For the students, the highlight of the huakaʻi was having the chance to step onto a waʻa and sail. Though they may have not gone too far from shore, it was a first-time experience for most. PVS Navigator and Captain Kaʻiulani Murphy, along with other PVS members and volunteers, took students and staff out on the waʻa, Kamauheheu, where their lesson on the Hawaiian Star Compass was put into action. Students also got hands-on experience paddling and working the sail. The day was filled with lots of learning and fun for students and staff.

“I was hesitant to ride the canoe but my kumus made me feel safe and it was worth it because I learned how to sail,” said one student. “My number one positive experience was the hands-on voyaging. Being out in the ocean made me able to understand how Hawaiians travelled on the ocean,” said another.

The Ka Pua team would like to give a special thanks to all staff involved in making this day:

Bob Perkins, Director of the Marine Educational Training Center
Jamie Fong, KS Kaʻiwakīloumoku Manager
Kekaimalu Lee, Polynesian Voyaging Society crewmember and captain for the escort boat
Kaʻiulani Murphy, Polynesian Voyaging Society navigator and Capt. for Kamauheheu
Mark Ellis, KS cultural specialist and Polynesian Voyaging Society crewmember

See the Nānāimua program in action in the video below.

KS’ Kapua Initiative partnered with Nānākuli High and Intermediate School, Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education and Leeward Community College to develop Nānāimua, program enabling students to take college courses connecting them to Hawaiian culture through real world experiences.

KS Cultural Specialist and Mark Ellis, teaches students about wayfaring and shares his experiences as a Hikianalia crew member for the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage as part of a day-long huakaʻi (field trip).