‘Imiloa to Host Tenth Annual Wayfinding Festival

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center will host its 10th annual Wayfinding Festival on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event celebrating the art, science and culture of oceanic navigation, will be themed on the recently completed Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage by the double-hulled sailing canoe, Hōkūleʻa.

Crewmembers from Hōkūleʻa will attend and share their stories of their three-year journey that spanned 42,000 nautical miles and visited 150 ports in more than 20 countries. The festival will also feature wa‘a (canoe) activities themed around Hōkūleʻa, as well as special planetarium programming and access to the exhibit hall.

“If you’ve ever wondered what sailing on Hōkūleʻa is like, or if you just want to hear more about our trials, tribulations and triumphs at sea, then don’t miss this event,” says Kālepa Baybayan, captain of Hōkūleʻa. “On hand at the festival will be many crewmembers who have spent many days and nights on Hōkūleʻa. Come hear their stories and learn the basics of wayfinding, including the Hawaiian Star Compass!”

The festival will also feature a revised version of the popular Wa‘a Iron Chef Contest where crewmember contestants are challenged to get creative preparing a meal using foods and tools typically found on a voyaging canoe.

“‘Imiloa’s Wayfinding Festival is our way of honoring our deep sea voyaging ancestors who sailed across the open ocean using the light of the stars to guide them to new lands,” said Ka‘iu Kimura, ‘Imiloa executive director. “And at the same time it is a chance to celebrate our modern day navigators who are transmitting celestial navigation skills into the next generation.

The Tenth Annual ‘Imiloa Wayfinding Festival is being sponsored by the Ama OluKai Foundation.

For more information about ‘Imiloa’s Wayfinding Festival, visit www.ImiloaHawaii.org.