Canoe Lashing
Hoa Wa`a

Hawai`iloa is held together with more than 8 miles of kaula (rope). Her quietness on the moana (open sea) is almost eerie, but testament to the lashing being pa`a (firm). The Polynesian's flexible techniques of lashing the two hulls together amazed early European observers. Like many features of these ancient wa`a kaulua (voyaging canoes), the idea was based on centuries of experience with sea stresses and wooden vessels.

The original Hawai`iloa plan called for lashing the whole canoe with `aha (coconut sennit). But `aha tested with a modern hydraulic system gave disappointing results. Safety issues were raised. After the most recent sea trials, all `aha was replaced with synthetic dacron kaula.

Kalawai`a Goo lashes the `iako (crossbeam) to the decking of the Mauloa. (63k)
(Photo by Anne Landgraf, Bishop Museum)

E kuhikuhi pono i na au iki a me na au nui o ka `ike.
Instruct well in the little and the large currents of knowledge.
In teaching, do it well; the small details are as important as the large ones.
(`Olelo No`eau #325; Pukui 1983)

Bringing the Past Forward

Back Gallery of the Hawai`iloa Exhibit

BISHOP MUSEUM
The State Museum of Natural and Cultural History
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