In the summer of 2024, as our canoe Makali‘i made way to join with our Oceania ‘ohana (family) and other voyaging canoes at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC), an unexpected event reminded us just how much our wa‘a (canoe) continues to teach us. On the way to the festival, her mast broke—a pivotal moment that opened the door for deeper reflection and an opportunity to strengthen our canoe both physically and collectively.
Under the guidance of Pwo navigators Uncle Shorty Bertelmann and Uncle Chadd ‘Onohi Paishon as well as long time crew members Kainalu Bertelmann and Nakoa Prejean, the question became: