~The bow of the Hōkūle‘a points towards Mauao - Mount Maunganui.
The mountain landmark graces the Tauranga harbour, where a statue of
Tangaroa the God of the moana – the sea, guards the entrance towards Tauranga.
It
is fortunate to have been a port of call for the much celebrated Hōkūle‘a,
now into the first year of an epic Worldwide Voyage. A national
treasure in Hawai'i, she has become a cultural icon since her
beginnings in 1975, when what began as a research project, has
ensured a re-connection with Hawaiian cultural heritage and powerful
maritime voyaging traditions.
The
design based on the Polynesians primary voyaging
craft with two hulls and lashed crossbeams, is known as wa'a kaulua
in Hawaiian and waka hourua in Māori.
Carving detail on Hōkūle‘a
Photo
: Michele Sainsbury
|
Hōkūle‘a
is the Hawaiian word for the zenith star - Arcturus, a
vital navigational star for ancient voyagers. Her oceanic journeys,
achieved through the skilled expertise of navigation based on
traditional way-finding methods - the reliance on acute observation of
natural environmental indicators, are also grounded in science and
incorporate oceanography.
Crew
member Nakua blowing the conch shell
Photo
: Michele Sainsbury
|
Mālama Honua, 'to care for our Island earth' is a four year undertaking encompassing 47,000 nautical miles and will soon involve the Hōkūle‘a leaving the Pacific for the first time.
On board is an environmental stewardship pledge which UN Secretarial General –
Ban Ki Moon has signed, when the Hōkūle‘a was en route through Samoa last year.
Tauranga's
Māori
translation
means - resting place or anchorage, but the crew work busily with
local communities to spread their outreach work.
It's
also the chance for them to connect with like minded peoples on the
way.
'
Learning from the communities we spend time with, teaches us too ',
says Captain
and Master navigator - Kālepa Baybayan
Oranges
and kamo kamo ( NZ heritage vegetable ) on board
Photo
: Michele Sainsbury
|
~The concept of using the whole waka as a compass is explained, at a mesmerizing
Mālama
Honua
presentation Kālepa
Baybayan gives at nearby community based - Whareroa Marae. The
incredible navigational star compass demonstration is done by way of a large
interactive star chart placed on the floor.
Kālepa
stands in the centre of the compass and speaks of it being
conceptual.
It is captivating to hear him explain the sea birds relationship with the horizon in relation to navigation, and the other vital clues used in navigation – where the sun rises and sets, the stars and the moon and observing wind and wave patterns.
It is captivating to hear him explain the sea birds relationship with the horizon in relation to navigation, and the other vital clues used in navigation – where the sun rises and sets, the stars and the moon and observing wind and wave patterns.
Leaving
the Tauranga harbour, nearby Mauao – Mount Maunganui
Photo
: Michele Sainsbury
|
When
the Hōkūle‘a
prepares to
leave for Auckland the following morning, there are many well wishers
at the marina. Joining on board, a prayer is said in Hawaiian. On
the starboard side, a plaque pays permanent tribute
to Eddie Aikau. His wish and vision to see Tahiti rising out of the
sea, has been realized by the Hōkūle‘a, with celestial magnificence.
* The phrase' turning myth and legend into reality ' was said by Hoturoa Barclay – Kerr,
Tribute to Eddie Aikau ~ The plaque on the Hōkūle‘a Photo: Michele Sainsbury |
* The phrase' turning myth and legend into reality ' was said by Hoturoa Barclay – Kerr,
in relation to
the renaissance of Pacific voyaging.