Wayfaring & Navigation Fest To Sail at Imiloa

Experience the “Spirit of the Sea” at Imiloa Astronomy Center’s 6th Annual Wayfinding & Navigation Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s festival explores oceanic wayfinding, a traditional system of navigating the open ocean without the use of instruments, using only concepts of astronomy, oceanography, meteorology and ecology.

“Wayfinding is more than getting from one place to another; wayfinding is a legacy of exploring, understanding and stewarding our environmental resources for the next generation,” said Kalepa Baybayan, Imiloa’s navigator in residence, in an IAC release.

The full-day event will feature hands-on wayfinding and navigation activities, makahiki games, special guest presentations, a featured documentary and live music free to the public. Regular admission rates apply for the exhibit hall and the daily scheduled planetarium shows.

This year the Hawaiian voyagers will share their story of the Te Mana O Te Moana, “the Spirit of the Sea,” epic voyage in 2011-2012 of seven Polynesian canoes.

Crew members of the canoes Haunui and Te Matau O Maui, Catherine Fuller, Kalei Velasco, Joy Ancheta and Kala Thomas, will discuss their contributions to the Polynesian canoe fleet that sailed from New Zealand to Hawaii to the mainland’s west coast then ultimately back to their home port.

Visitors may view Sam Low’s 1983 documentary “The Navigators,” a film recreating the exploration and settlement of Oceania on board traditionally navigated voyages which began more than 6,000 years ago.

Festival goers can also participate in traditional makahiki games with Na Kane o Hale Paa Kaua and visit double-hulled canoes on display on the lawn throughout the day.

Times of the events are on line at www.imiloahawaii.org, or call 808-969-9703.