Iosepa, a traditional Hawaiin voyaging canoe returns to the ocean

Iosepa will be participating in the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture which showcases voyaging canoes across the Pacific, said Lily Mae Rich, a junior from South Carolina majoring in Pacific Island Studies. While it has been in the water before, this summer will be the first time Iosepa has been back in the water for years, she explained.
"Iosepa was built in 2001 as a part of the Hawaiian Studies program at BYU Hawaii. It was built from Fijian logs over 9 months," she added.
She said the PCC has been hosting community work days every Wednesday where the community and students are invited to attend and prepare the wa’a for its return to the ocean.
These workdays are integral in the progress of Iosepa. "Not only do we physically prepare the vessel, but we also have opportunities to receive training from Mark Ellis and others about navigating using the stars, tying knots, etc. These workdays will continue as we approach FestPAC," Rich said.
Video by Brynna Fry