Ethnomads - Tamailemua
Aloha mai!
Chris here
Regarding the last Substack, here is a video on that mural in Aiea.
https://youtube.com/shorts/PMbyT6N8NY0?si=SM96a0q9tkij7wYM
So grateful to have a manager to help me navigate big jobs like that! Also helps that my manager is a childhood friend. Last week we traveled to Maui with his daughter to asses a wa’a kaukolu (three part sailing canoe) that was on the market. And wow was it a beauty, a Garry Dierking design Ceder and Sapele Strip home build canoe equipped with a crab claw sail, tiller and daggerboard. It’s former owner and builder Luke Jackson was kind enough to give us the full breakdown of how he built and sailed it. Hats off to this craftsmans skill and attention to detail. The canoe glistened with intention and beauty.
After a definite approval from me, Justin exchanged the funds with a hug and we were off towing his new wa’a to the barge. If you are interested in the wa’a world and have not seen Gary Dierking’s book, “Building Outrigger Sailing Canoes” I highly recommend looking in to it. Like Wharram designs, I dream Hawai’i would start incorporating these into our “waterman” world. I know that it is controversial because they are not Polynesian designers but here’s a point; what we call the modern Hawaiian sailing canoe is made from a computer designed mold in a factory. What these designers are providing us, is the chance to learn for ourselves, how to foster a passion and creative drive in the making of our vessel. I believe this is the passion that perpetuates culture. I named Justins new wa’a Tamailemua - the closest pointer star (Beta Centauri) to the Southern Cross. Significant of the place where he met his wife and his spiritual connection to Akua.
Upon arriving at the barge, a lady asks, “are you Liko Hoe”, “I am not, but I know him , why?”. At that ,moment, the only other known Pahi 26 in the pacific, uncle Kiko Kitazawa's “Ki’iloa” comes backing on a trailer right next to the Canoe we just loaded. “Oh your Chris Miyashiro? Uncle Liko bought this canoe because of you!”
Whaaaa?
Uncle Liko owns and manages Waiahole Poi Factory on the windward side of O’ahu, a few ahupua’a down from where ‘A’ā lives. What are the chances that Tamailemua is going to Kualoa, Ki’iloa is going to Haiku’u and next door, little ‘A’ā lives. Seems that my dream of backyard sailing canoes being a part of Hawai’i again, is slowly coming true. Mahalo ke Akua for this strangely exciting life.
Here is a video of Justin and I’s first sail on Tamailemua :)
https://youtube.com/shorts/0LISn1RQ0GY?si=onWLhrGNsaEYr27Y
In more exciting news, tomorrow Keʻili teaches her first solo class as a Kumu Kapa maker! So proud.
‘A’ā has a new boom and spar, Big mahalo to Uncle Leleo Kinimaka for helping me build it and Uncle Analu for helping me glass it. Just waiting on Cromwell to finish his artistic touch in the mast step design and we are ready to sail! Chee!
Mahalo, CM
