Aloha Kakou,

On behalf of the Healani Canoe Club I would like to welcome you to our website. We have embarked on a first of its kind endeavor. Healani applied and was awarded a Grant to teach the youth of Hawaii the very fine Art of Koa Canoe restoration. Additionally we will travel to the Big Island to plant Koa trees as part of the experience. In the next three years many young hands and wise mentors will work with our youth to restore Healani Canoe Clubs Koa Canoes, Papaloa & Hoolale.

The very gifted and generous Bobby Puakea has consented to be our Kalai Waa (Master Builder). He will guide everyone on this very exciting and culturally spirited journey. Bobby, affectionately known as Uncle Bobby hails from Keaukaha on the Big Island. He learned the fine Art of Koa Canoe Building from his elders, Grandfather & Father and many other respected Ohana. Uncle Bobby enjoys mentoring to young people and wants very much to share his knowledge. There are but a few left who are capable of building and restoring Koa Canoes. The Canoeing community constantly calls upon him to help in repairing Koa canoes. His love for working with the Koa and sharing his knowledge is unmatched and much appreciated.

Renowned Kumu Hula & Cultural Specialist, Leinaala Kalama Heine along with her Haumana Mahealani Batlik will guide us through cultural protocol. Leinaala has begun the task by introducing many to prayer, translated into Hawaiian by Mahealani. Leinaala, affectionately known as Aunty Ala immediately challenged our youth to learn their Genealogy showing them the connection between the growth of the Koa tree to our lives. We are very excited to be working with Aunty Ala & Mahealani.

Keala Lucero and Kanani Kukona, of Aloha Friday Productions, will document our historical journey on video. In 2005, Lucero shot "Valtor the Great", which won the Audience Choice Award at the Hawaii International Film Festival. In addition, he received Honorable Mention for his documentary "Wahine O Ke Kai" which he directed, shot and edited. The film tells the story of Donna Kahakui and her journey paddling solo between four islands in four days. It also features Nainoa Thompson, Elizabeth Lindsey, and Ed Case. As a Native Hawaiian filmmaker, Lucero commits to developing works from a unique perspective.

All of this could not have happened without the vision and hard work of the Healani Board of Directors and the extremely well written Grant application authored by Andrew Bosshard.

To all of the wonderful young people, parents, many coaches and volunteers who joined us, we say "Mahalo".

We invite you to visit our website on a regular basis, we are anxious to share our journey with all of you.

We will be posting pictures of our progress and the names of all the participants in "Kueolakekoa".

Monthly we will recognize one of our youth participants with their Bio and a quote to share.

"Imua Kueolakekoa"

Aunty Rosie
Project Coordinator

If you would like to volunteer or become involved, please contact Aunty Rosie at 306-7869.