E Ala Voyaging Canoe Sought to Return to Wai`anae Coast: UPDATE - Re-Blessing & Re-Launching March 28, 2010

The Halau Wa`a O E Ala envisioned at Poka`i Bay by many who want to see the E Ala voyaging canoe returned to the Wai`anae Coast. (Artwork by Melissa Evans) [Click on the image for a larger view.] The Wai`anae Hawaiian Civic Club (WHCC) organized the building of the E Ala voyaging canoe in 1981. Although the canoe is currently docked at the Maritime Education Training Center (METC) at Sand Island, WHCC, Polynesian Voyaging Society, and many others want the canoe brought home to the Wai`anae Coast to be used for navigational and cultural education. Maile has asked the City and State whether the E Ala can be permanently docked at Poka`i Bay or the boat harbor, and is awaiting a response. She has also introduced HB 2616, requesting $3m to build the E Ala Ocean Education Center.

UPDATE: The E Ala will be sailed from the METC at Sand Island to the Waianae Coast April 20-22, 2010. There will be a re-blessing and re-launching of the canoe on March 28, 2010; 11am-noon, at METC. All are welcome to this potluck event. For more information, email: pvshawaii@hawaiiantel.net.

Click HERE for more information about the E Ala, or visit this website: http://waianaehcc.org/eala.htm