Kahu Kalaiwa‘a Kurtis Yamauchi and 'Ale'ale'a
Our new wa‘a, ‘Ale‘ale‘a, was blessed on Sunday March 11, 2012 in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony at our halau wa‘a in Honaunau. This day marked the culmination of its long journey from the forest to the sea, from its birth as a koa seedling in Honomalino to its rebirth as Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club’s third koa canoe. Kahu Kahekili Ursua and his halau hula officiated the two day ceremony and Kahu Norman Allen and his crew prepared a feast for all our guests.
Mahalo ke Akua, aumakua, kupuna and all who came before us to make this possible. Mahalo also to the many paddlers and supporters who have contributed of their time, money, loyalty, their mana‘o and aloha over the years.
We would also like to recognize our own kahuna kalaiwa‘a, Kurtis Yamauchi, his supportive family and the many hands that helped him create such a beautiful craft. We have all learned and been inspired through this process and look forward to meeting the challenges before us in the spirit of Ha‘aha‘a and Aloha.
– from Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club President Rafael Ramirez
Keoua president Rafael Ramirez opens the Sunday public ceremony