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.
DLNR officials approved of a plan to permanently dry dock the E Ala in the area between the harbor and Wai`anae High. The next step is getting the BLNR’s approval. L-R: DLNR officials Wesley Choi, Ed Underwood, & Meghan Statts; DLNR Chair William Aila Jr.; and Wai`anae Coast residents Gege Kawelo, Laurie Lawrence, and Sam Kapoi. [Click the image to enlarge; Photo by Rep. Shimabukuro]
On November 16, 2010, Wai`anae Coast residents met with State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) officials asking for their approval to permanently dry dock the E Ala voyaging canoe in the area between the Wai`anae Boat Harbor and Wai`anae High School. Fortunately, the officials, from DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Resources (DOBOR), approved of the proposal.
The next step is to submit plans to DLNR’s Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) for their approval. E Ala captain Sam Kapoi, who showed DLNR a video proposal the he and other Makaha Studios staff put together, is working on the plans for BLNR. "The goal is to build a space which will not only house E Ala, but also eventually become an ocean education center for community members to learn to navigation, canoe building, marine science, and other skills," Kapoi said.
“My goal is to continue to help this project along by hopefully obtaining funds to plan, design, and construct the E Ala Ocean Education Center,” said Rep. Maile Shimabukuro (D-45th). “It is wonderful to work with Wai`anae Hawaiian Civic Club President Gege Kawelo, Leeward Community College-Wai`anae Coordinator Laurie Lawrence, and E Ala Captain Sam Kapoi on this endeavor,” Shimabukuro continued.
“Mahalo nui loa to DOBOR administrator Ed Underwood, and key members of his staff, Meghan Statts and Wesley Choi, who came to Wai`anae to discuss and approve of this project," stated Wai`anae Hawaiian Civic Club President Gege Kawelo.
"Many thanks to former Wai`anae Harbormaster William Aila, Jr., who has supported this effort all along, and played an instrumental role in making this happen. We are very pleased that Governor Abercrombie selected Mr. Aila to serve as DLNR Chair last month," said Leeward Community College-Wai`anae Coordinator Laurie Lawrence.
To sign the Petition supporting the E Ala's return to the Wai`anae Coast, click here, or go to this link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/urge-the-city-to-allow-e-ala-canoe-to-return-to-pokai-bay/
For more information, email maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com &/or elalawaianae@gmail.com.
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