E Ala Prepares to Sail Home

On Tuesday, April 20th, the wa‘a E Ala, Hōkūle‘a and Kama will voyage from Sand Island to the Wai‘anae Coast captained by Kaina Holomalia, Sam Kapoi and Waimea McKeague (all born and raised in Wai‘anae & Nānākuli). Students and teachers from Wai‘anae and Nānākuli High School, Kamaile Academy, Wai‘anae and Nanakuli Intermediate will sail these three voyaging canoes along the Wai‘anae coast and will arrive in Pōka‘i Bay on Thursday, April 22. E Ala will remain in Pōka‘i Bay until May 1st so that crew members can give canoe tours to Leeward Coast elementary school children. The community is welcome to visit E Ala in the afternoons after 2:00pm.

E Ala was built in Wai‘anae on the Leeward side of O‘ahu by the Wai‘anae Civic Club in 1981. Built so the children of Wai‘anae could have the opportunity to experience firsthand sailing a waʻa kaulua (double hulled canoe), E Ala gives the keiki of that district the direct experience of learning the importance of the canoe was to Hawaiians while instilling pride and self-esteem.

You too can support the homecoming of E Ala to the Wai‘anae coast by signing a petition of support or in person.