HONOLULU (KHON2) — A brand-new koa canoe shaped by Sonny Bradley made a historic debut this year at the Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokaʻi Hoe World Championship, earning top ranks. Another koa canoe is about to make history as it returns to the water for the first time in over a decade.
The Aʻa was crafted in 1902 for Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole — known to be the fastest six-man canoe at its time, the custom-built 40-foot vessel was considered to be canoe racing ‘perfection.’
In Hawaiian, Aʻa typically means rough, sharp lava; it also can mean ‘to brave’ or ‘to challenge.’ And at the time of its creation, it did exactly that.
This koa canoe inspired and shaped the future of racing canoes and the life of beloved shaper, Tay Perry.
In the 1950s, the Aʻa was the first canoe Perry worked on, alongside his father, George Perry, who spearheaded plans to restore the canoe for the launch of the Lanikai Canoe Club.
“The first time I worked on the canoe was in 1952; it was falling apart,” Tay Perry said. “I learned most about what I know about working on canoes by starting with the Aʻa.”
Canoes are considered living entities in the Hawaiian culture. Shaping and building these canoes is comparable to a spiritual and sacred experience.
“I kind of bond with it and it’s a part of me, a connection that stays with me,” Perry said. “These canoes, to the people that own them, consider them to be a child. Part of the family.”
While Perry holds each project near and dear to his heart, you never seem to forget your first.
Nearly 75 years later, Perry has been reunited with the Aʻa to help restore the historic vessel for the Bishop Museum’s Hoʻi i ke Kai: Launch of the Aʻa.
“The canoe wants to be in the water… As I learned over the years, this canoe does best when it’s used for its intended purpose,” Perry said.
The Bishop Museum is sending the Aʻa back into the ocean, newly repaired with the help of the Friends of Hōkūleʻa and Hawaiʻiloa, Tay Perry, Ryan Olivares and the Dowsett ʻOhana.
Working on this canoe again felt like catching up with an old friend for Perry.
Perry said, “I’m not quite to the point where I could talk to the canoe… [if I could] I would say ‘thanks, thanks for keeping me going.’
This relaunch of the canoe hopes to inspire future generations of shapers and paddlers to connect with koa canoes, which have deep roots in Hawaiian culture.
“The koa canoes are the pride of everything,” Perry said. “I think it’d be great if they [event attendees] would develop a desire to participate in the sport, join a club that paddles koa canoes, and race them.”
“The canoe wants to be in the water… As I learned over the years, this canoe does best when it’s used for its intended purpose,” Perry said. “I’m very happy the museum is stepping out and putting some emphasis on this canoe… and this community.”
The Launch of the Aʻa event will be on Saturday, Nov. 8, starting at sunrise with a traditional blessing ceremony at Keʻehi Lagoon Beach Park. Following the ceremony, there will be educational booths, moʻolelo sessions and local vendors. Registration is free and can be found here.