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Hōkūle'a (the star of gladness) is the name of the replica of the wooden sailing canoe that was used in ancient Hawaii. This vessel was created for the sole purpose of recreating the voyages of the Polynesian migration from Hawaii to the Tahitian Islands.
The following story that profoundly surrounds my memory is glossed over with a legendary man. This story is that of the 1978 voyage that famous legendary surfer Eddie Akau was a part of and lost his life for. I was 18 years old at the time and an avid beach attendee and knew of many surfers on our North Shore of Oahu. Eddie Aikau was one of them and he was a lifeguard as well. He was hired by the City & County of Honolulu in 1968 to take care of all the beaches from Haleiwa to Sunset Beach. As a surfer he even won the 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Championship!
Eddie Aikau was a crew member aboard the Hokulea after he volunteered to be part of that voyage in 1978. On March 16, 1978 the voyaging canoe set sail and about 16 miles south off the coast of the island of Molokai the Hokulea developed a leak and capsized. Eddie took his surfboard and started paddling towards the island of Lanai seeking help. The US Coast Guard eventually saved the rest of the crew, but Eddie Aikau was never to be seen again. This was the largest air-sea search in Hawaii history!
A tribute to a brave man, an avid surfer, saver of lives as a lifeguard (two weeks before this incident he had saved a tv producer) and a hero as he definitely lost his life to find help for his fellow crew members. Aloha and Mahalo my friend.
The picture to the right is the Hokulea voyaging canoe "Courtesy of JOAQUIN SIOPACK-The Honolulu Advertiser " and following is a list of voyages since the Hokulea came into existence.
1976- From Hawaii to Tahiti and back.- 1978-The Eddie Akau mishap.
- 1980- Recreation of navigating without instruments by Native Hawaiian Navigator, Nainoa Thompson
- 1985-"The Voyage of Rediscovery" and the Hokulea traveled 16k miles to many destinations
- 1992- From Rarotonga and back to Hawaii via Tahiti
- 1995-Hokulea and sister ships Hawaiiloa and Makalii sailed to Marquesas Islands and back via Tahiti (spring)
- 1995- Hokulea and Hawaiiloa sailed from Seattle to San Diego along the West Coast of the U.S.
- 1999- From Hawaii to Rapa Nui and back.
- 2004-Navigator Thompson led this voyage through the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (including Midway and the Atolls)
- 2007 -Currently sailing from Hawaii to the Federated States of Micronesia. From there they will sail on to Japan!
What an outstanding creation the Polynesian Voyaging Society is bringing to us to give us more insight, information and knowledge on our Hawaiian History and Culture.
"MY LEGACY IS ALL ABOUT THE QUALITY OF RELATIONSHIPS I HAVE WITH OTHERS And..... Without that quality, tell me.....what is a Professional worth?"
All content is the property of Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman 2007 (except for courtesy picture of the Hokulea from the Honolulu Advertiser)
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Mililani Hawaii Real Estate Blog 2007
Teri: I just got goosebumps reading your comment. All of us say that...he loved the ocean and that's where he is.
Thank you for this wonderful story and tribute, Sally. He was a hero right to the end.The canoes are beautiful~I love the red sails !
I agree with Teri, your blog is a wonderful history and information center for everything Hawaii . I have a cousin who lives there and I am now getting the urge to visit more and more due to reading your beautiful posts.
Jo
Jo-Anne: I'm back! I had to say that...here I go again. I love to write about my home, the culture and all the heroes (I've written quite a few)
Staphanie: I haven't even seen it in person...just on the news.
BB: It sure is....let me know how you like it....and thanks for sharing some of our Hawaii...right here on AR!
N& K: The same goes for all the places I've been ....I wish I enjoyed Izmir, Turkey while I was there...one day I'll go back.
Sally - This afternoon I've been running lots of errands in my car. Not because I really need to, but I've been listening to the most wonderful music in my car. Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift!
Now for a bit of Hawaii info-what is the name of the plant in the picture on this post? It's one of my favorites and I;ve never known the name.
Hi Sally,
I know nothing about Hawaii and I don't like not knowing about something. I guess I just have read all your posts. Thank you.
Bill Roberts
Marlene: I bought it at WalMart the other day along with the bromeliad in the other post (my husband "trimmed" my orchids and killed four! So I had to replenish color)
Mana: You're so welcome...I share stuff with my husband too...the funny ones BB does...haha!
Bill: That's funny...feel free...got plenty in here already!
Sally,
I always learn something new from Hawaii, thanks to your posts, keep the good blog and work and say Aloha to your friend Randy !
Ray Saenz
Sally.... and to think that Hawaii was just a paradise. As so many have mentioned, I have learned so much from you. Nice job here and a great tribute.
Ray: Thanks Ray..and I'll let Randy know!
Paula: I'm glad everyone enjoys the stories! Sure makes it worthwhile to write!
Jeff: Thanks and a lot more than paradise...cool stuff going on here!
Sally, I had never heard that story told before. Heroes or something that we can never have enough of, and when we find them there story should be told.
Sally~
I read your BLOG every day..right now as I sit here late at night reading...with my cat on my lap..and he is insisting on typing as well...WE are both smiling..Thank you so much for the quality of your BLOG and your heart!
George: He was very well known amongst the surfing crowd and something clicked when I thought of the Hokulea this morning.
janAnne: Thanks so much....I know you love my Hawaii stuff...I'm glad I bring a smile to a lot of people and awe to the rest. I love my home.
Sally, here you are again writing a very well thought out and graphic post. Great story, and beautiful photos. Thanks,
Marlene: That's the kind of help I don't need. Gotta love em though.
Neal: Thanks Neal...Those were my post high school days...once in awhile I remember something :)
Christina: Bringing a little Hawaii and a little of our history to your laptop!
Hey Sally, I just found this blog of your's, excellent as usual, the Hukulea is a story close to my heart.
I love how you call your blog Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Mililani Hawaii Real Estate Blog 2007
I think when I started mine, I just called it Karens blog (duh), sure would like to rename it something like Karen's Maui real estate blog, do you know if it's possible to change the name?
If you ever have referrals for Maui, I'd love to take great care of em for you. :)
aloha, Karen
Left side of your home page click my settings and change your title!
And...you're on my Associate list.
Hi Sally - 3h00 in the morning and was looking for info about surfer Eddie Akau for my daugther school project and landed here. After reading all the comments on your blog made me realize that Maui is a place I would like to visit sometime in tne future. But luckely here (South Africa) we also have beautiful beaches so I reasure myself that even I am not able to visit your country that the sea toutches our shores and in a sence we are connected.