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Campus & Community

Iosepa sails

By Ranitea Teihoarii ,
July 03, 2024

The Laie community gathered at Hukilau Beach to watch the Iosepa sail past

Kela Miller’s Halau performing hula at Hukilau Beach during the Iosepa’s passing.
Kela Miller’s Halau performing hula at Hukilau Beach during the Iosepa’s passing and as community members lined the shore.
Photo by Camille Jovenes

As the Iosepa sailing canoe passed Hukilau Beach on June 1, conch shells and Marquesan wooden trumpets were blown. Kela Miller, a community member with her own halau, created a pono, or peaceful, environment by directing the crowd’s attention to the Iosepa. Halau Hula O Kekela led the crowd in songs and chants in honor of the boat’s passage.

Jerusha Magalei, an assistant professor in BYU-Hawaii’s Faculty of Education & Social Work and Iosepa canoe founder Bill Wallace’s daughter, offered a chant in Maori.

Community members wait for Iosepa to sail by Hukilau Beach
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Holding hands in a circle, the crowd gave a prayer of thanks and a blessing on the Iosepa crew members to ensure their safety.