In honor of legendary Master Navigator Mau Piailug who passed away on July 12, members of ‘Ohana Wa‘a (the Hawai‘i voyaging community) are sailing through the Hawaiian Islands sharing Papa Mau’s love for this ‘āina.

As is always the case with traditional Polynesian voyages, exact departure and arrival dates may vary based upon weather and ocean conditions.

The Hawaiian reef environment is very fragile. About 50 years ago, an incredibly agressive predator fish, the roi, was introduced here. It has since spread throughout the Hawaiian islands and is a major cause in the decline of native reef species.

Beginning in 2008, The Roi Round-Up began organizing spearfishing tournaments targeting the roi. With tournaments on Maui, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i (hosting their first event this weekend), skin divers take part in the "invasives-only" contests where there are no catch limits or size minimums.

In honor of legendary Master Navigator Mau Piailug who passed away on July 12, members of ‘Ohana Wa‘a (the Hawai‘i voyaging community) gathered on July 24 at Lāna‘i Lookout to experience sunrise and to reflect, remember, mahalo and aloha “Papa Mau.”

Aloha kākou,

As the entire ‘Ohana Wa‘a prepares to honor Master Navigator Mau Piailug with a statewide sail, we are also preparing to assist Papa Mau's ‘ohana and community in Satawal.