Sep

History of Hoe Wa’a and Na Wahine o Ke Kai

Hoe wa’a or Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling started well before the 1960’s. History tells us that King Kalakaua brought the sport back to popularity during his monarchy following a ban by missionary influences. In pre-missionary days, racing wa’a was a common part of the makahiki season as a type of sport. This podcast will begin with the history of hoe wa’a from David Malo, a historian/writer in the early 1800’s. Listeners will learn how canoes were built, the role of the god Iaka, and the tribulations faced with building a canoe. Finally, the podcast closes with Hannie Anderson, the Na Wahine o Ke Kai Race Director, and her account of how the women’s Molokai to Oahu race came to be.