Approximately 1,000 people — including all the students from Laie Elementary School — gathered at Hukilau Beach on May 5 to participate in a community-wide ceremony honoring the latest launch of the Iosepa, BYU–Hawaii's 57-foot traditional twin-hulled Hawaiian sailing canoe, and to bid a temporary farewell to its captains and student crewmembers.

 

The large crowd, including kupuna or Hawaiian elders from Laie and throughout Koolauloa, listened to Hawaiian chants and speeches under bright but voggy skies as a slight onshore breeze vainly tried to drive off the heat of the morning. The school children and others presented lei, songs and "ho'okupu" or offerings to the crew who were preparing to depart for Kawaihae on the island of Hawaii.

"All that we're doing this year is dedicated to 'Uncle' Bill," canoe co-captains and BYUH Hawaiian Studies faculty members R. Kamoa'e Walk and Kawika Eskaran, told Kaleo the day before, referring to the late William K. Wallace III, the program's director who recently passed away.

They also explained earlier that the canoe and its escort vessel, the Nihipora captained by Wallace's son, "Sir" William K. Wallace IV, will spend approximately 18 days in and around Kawaihae — home port of the Hawaiian sailing canoe Makali'i. The Makali'i, its captains and supporting organization, Na Kalai Wa'a Moku o Hawaii, have worked closely with the Iosepa since the canoe's inception.

Following a Hawaiian chant by Terry Naauao Panee, Dr. Hiagi Wesley, Director of the BYU–Hawaii Jonathan Napela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Island Studies, introduced all of the special attendees. They included Amanda Wallace and other members of Uncle Bill's family; Margaret Wheelwright, wife of BYUH President Steven C. Wheelwright, who was unable to attend, as well as members of the university's Presidents Council; Polynesian Cultural Center President Von D. Orgill; Hawaii Reserves, Inc. (HRI) President & CEO R. Eric Beaver; master carver Tuione Pulotu who created the Iosepa (along with master carver Eskaran); and the Laie Hawaiian Choir, under the direction of Bobby Akoi.

"This is an ohana [family] gathering to enjoy this special occasion," Wesley said. He explained that the canoe's name means Joseph, and refers to Joseph the son of Israel in the Old Testament as well as Joseph Smith, who founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his nephew Joseph F. "Iosepa" Smith — who began serving his first mission in Hawaii in 1854, and the community of Hawaiians and other Polynesians migrated to Skull Valley, Utah, in 1887.

"As these young people embark on this journey, it's a journey of faith," he added.

Dr. Max L. Checketts, BYU–Hawaii Vice President for Academics, spoke of how many people in the past crossed oceans of water and great plains, "to find a better way of life." He also thanked Church leaders for authorizing the annual training voyage.

President Orgill reminded the large crowd of "all who have been involved in helping create the reality of Iosepa the voyaging canoe. I'm sitting here thinking about Uncle Bill, and glad that his family can be here representing him, because you can't look at this canoe or even consider it without thinking about him and the great contributions he made to its creation. We pay honor and tribute to his memory and his legacy." He also paid tribute to the canoe's master carvers
"and all who are part of the Hawaiian Studies program."

President Orgill spoke of the unifying influence of the Iosepa on the community. "Every grand adventure requires people working together in harmony to bring it about, whether it's the creation of a canoe or the establishment of a school like BYU–Hawaii."

"All who were here at the time of the construction of the Iosepa remember what a special blessing it was to the entire community and the surrounding area — how it helped bring people together in ways that few things ever could. I think that is the hallmark and one of the great legacies of this special voyaging canoe."

He also asked that the canoe and crew "always be a symbol of that kind of unity and harmony…and as they make sail, that they will be one with nature and with God."

President Beaver first recognized the Laie Community Association "for their support and involvement in this process." Then, speaking of the many concerns the crew must face and prepare for, he said, "A voyage on a canoe such as this is much the way life is: We do all that we can to prepare for the journey, but we always rely on the Lord to make sure that He will cause the winds to blow and keep us safe on the sea."

"We respect those who have gone before us, and those who have sailed the seas, both literally and in life, and have learned the important lesson of how to best prepare and best depend on a source that's much higher and greater than we are. We express that respect to those who have had that experience, both in the crew as well as our kupuna and leaders."

Kela Miller of Laie, speaking on behalf of the kupuna, thanked everyone for participating in the launching ceremony. Chants, songs by the school children of Laie, the Na Kamalei early education program in Punaluu, and the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program at Kahuku High shared songs and made presentations to the crew.

Responding, Kamoa'e Walk thanked everyone, "especially our kupuna…and our kamali'i [children], because this is for them and their children for at least seven generations beyond us. I want you to know that this wa'a [canoe] belongs to all of us. It is our canoe. When we sail, we sail with you, and you sail with us. We want you to feel connected, always, to our wa'a, Iosepa. Come and visit it often, whether it's here at the beach or in the Halau Kauaiwiulaikalani [in the Hawaiian village] at PCC. We welcome any of you to come at any time."

He explained that groups who would like to visit the Iosepa when it's in the PCC can make arrangements through the BYUH Hawaiian Studies program.

Several hours after the program began, the Iosepa once again slipped into the glassy waters off Hukilau Bay where it was first launched on November 3, 2001…and began waiting for favorable winds and weather to sail for Kawaihae.

— Story and photos by Mike Foley

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