Haleiwa,
O'ahu to Ni'ihau - June 2004
200-mile
environmental awareness paddle
Haleiwa, O'ahu
to Ni'ihau
This was the last paddle to connect the inhabited Hawaiian Island Chain. The vision was to connect all islands via one-person canoe and show that we are all attached and need to come together to take care of our ocean. This paddle represented not only a completion of the dream by Donna Kahakui to send a message to all about the need and responsibilty to care for our ocean for the next generation, but also a passing of the torch as she was accompanied by Nahina Leeloy and Vaimana Connor, canoe paddlers of the the next generation. From start to finish this was a journey full of wonderment and appreciation. It began with a group of women, Lei Papahi, who came together to work for a greater purpose of blessing, supporting and being a part of this environmental message and ended at an Island that marks one of our oldest living ancestors, Ni'ihau. It is with great hope that through these environmental paddles the message has been sent to the next generation and that message being "We are all connected. It is time to take responsibility for ourselves, our communities and our ocean. For without it, we are nothing."
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Nahina |
Nahina Lee Loy and Vaimana Connor represented the next
generation of paddlers who joined Kai Makana's founder, Donna Kahakui to promote
awareness for the need to take care of our ocean. They paddled
approximately 200-miles to bring awareness to the necessity of caring for our
seas, as well as raised funds to help teach Hawaii's students about the
importance of clean water and clean oceans.
The money raised is being used to
fund water quality testing units that will be used by students and organizations
to test the streams and oceans of various ahupua'a around our islands, as well
as fund a youth environmental summer program for children participating in the
PACT program at Kuhio Park Terrace. |
Vaimana |
We welcomed all experienced
paddlers to join the paddling from June 3rd through the 5th, as this venture was
not about one person, or a group of people. This paddle represented every person
taking a stand to make a difference for the greater good of our ocean for not
only the present, but also more importantly for our future.
Anela Benson representing Lei Papahi approaching Mau, Master Navigator, and stating great appreciation for his knowledge and vision. For without him, none of us would dream to cross the channels. |
Lei Papahi women standing ready to do Pekeku prior to Donna, Vaimana and Nahina's departure from Haleiwa on O'ahu to Ni'ihau. |
Send off overseen by
Olohe Lakakea Suganuma. |
Nahina and Donna paddling along teh Napali Coast on the island of Kaua'i. |
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Donna off the coast of Kaua'i
on her way to Lehua Rock
before reaching Ni'ihau. |
Nahina and Donna off
the coast of O'ahu. |
Nahina Leeloy resting after
50-miles of paddling. |
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Nualolo Kai on the Island
of Kaua'i. Kai Makana and
Lei Paphi pay respect to
a historical fishing village
only accessible during
certain months of the year. |
Nahina, Donna and Vaimana were accompanied by a
group of various paddlers
who travelled from Kaua'i
to Ni'ihau. |
Donna in front of an
opening in Lehua Rock. |
We were fortunate to
have dolphins with us
on most of this journey. |
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Mahalo to the following sponsors:
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