Hōkūle‘a Hosts Students, Educators and Volunteers

Last week, Olin Lagon and James Koshiba of Kanu Hawai‘i generously invited PVS to join them in a series of brainstorming sessions with some incredible people from national non-profits who are also journeying toward sustainable communities.

Like Hōkūle‘a, each organization – Kanu Hawai‘i, The Charter for Compassion, Points of Light, and The Real Food Project – is committed to the well being of their individual and global communities.

Spending time together, we found we have a shared vision; one in which all people can live with dignity, in good health and in peace. The concepts of aloha (compassion), personal and collective kuleana (responsibility), laulima (working together) and kāko‘o (supporting one another) were intrinsic to all of our discussions.

On our last day together, we were able to share time aboard Hōkūle‘a, letting her communicate the power of our ocean and our land. Joined by students and educators from Wai‘anae and Kamehameha Schools, we followed Hōkūle‘a’s lessons of how to survive together as a community, working in concert toward a common destination. From the blessings of the rain to the undulating swells of the sea to the marvel of being visited by a family of whales, Hawai‘i Nei reminded us of why we voyage and what we’re in danger of losing. Olin was kind enough to post his reflections on this journey and photos of our time together.

As Nainoa once said “I don’t have much. Just a canoe and some extraordinary people, but we do what we can.” And, together we can… navigate toward a sustainable future, protect our homelands, help our communities to prosper.

We are truly honored to be included in these hālāwai and we look forward to further forging links between our communities.