Outrigger Resorts “O Ke Kai” series pays tribute to voyaging culture

RELEASE NUMBER 92 | 17

‘ŌiwiTV Photographer: Justyn Ah Chong [High-resolution images can be found here]

HONOLULU, HAWAII – Outrigger Resorts invites the public to take part in its latest O Ke Kai Series, “Navigating the Way,” Saturday, Nov. 11, at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. As part of the unique and interactive educational session, guests and locals are encouraged to join Outrigger hosts in the front lobby of the resort from 9 a.m. to noon, where they’ll learn about the art of traditional Hawaiian canoe building and restoration skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. Outrigger’s quarterly education program pays tribute to Hawaii’s great voyaging canoes and supports the efforts of The Friends of Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa.

As a longstanding partner with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Outrigger has stood alongside the crewmembers of the Hokule‘a as they navigate the seas connecting with people around the globe to work toward its mission of a sustainable future through the Malama Honua Project. As Malama Honua means “take care of Island Earth,” the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s mission works jointly with Outrigger’s OZONE initiative to perpetuate the vitality of the land, sea and inhabitants of the living world, while also extending Hawaiian culture and its concept of malama ‘aina: caring for the Earth’s natural resources.

“The Friends of Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa are considered ‘ohana of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and our relationship continues to grow with each visit as they share stories, showcase unique artifacts and tools as well as provide hands-on canoe building demonstrations for our guests,” said Luana Maitland, director of cultural programs at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. “Most recently, Outrigger invited crew members of the Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa to share their voyaging experiences with guests, as well as with local students from the Kanehunamoku Voyaging Academy to inspire Hawaii’s next generation of voyagers.”

 

Throughout most of Outrigger’s properties on Oahu, guests will find beautifully restored canoes dating back almost 100 years that are the work of members of The Friends of Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa. As caretakers of two canoes, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort proudly displays them throughout the property, including one above the porte cochère named the Ho‘aloha, which it aided in the restoration.

To learn more about Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, please visit www.outrigger.com.

Click here for a PDF of this release.

# # #