Kalepa Baybayan
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo invites the public to experience the “Spirit of the Wayfinder” at its 5th Annual Wayfinding & Navigation Festival coming up September 29. This festival explores oceanic wayfinding, a traditional system of navigating the open ocean without the use of instrumentation.
Using concepts of astronomy, oceanography, meteorology, and ecology, modern day wayfinders are stewards of collective knowledge handed down through generations.
“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,” says Kalepa Baybayan, Associate Director and Navigator in Residence.
On Saturday, September 29, starting at 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, this 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 to the Exhibit Hall and Planetarium.
This year, the festival will honor Kaho‘olawe as a piko, a nourishing life source for Hawai’i and its people. Kanaloa, the ancient name for Kaho’olawe, is a traditional center for wayfinding and navigation. From this piko emanated a renaissance of culture, identity, and aloha ‘aina, one’s love and deep connection for earth, sea, and sky. Listen to stories from a few of the “Early Warriors” and “Early Voyagers” of Kaho’olawe who were instrumental in the Native Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance: Pua Kanaka’ole Kanahele, the Kukahiko ‘ohana, Emmett Aluli, Walter Ritte, Davianna McGregor, Craig Neff, Kalei Nu‘uhiwa, Billy Richards and Kalepa Baybayan with special musical guest, Jon Osorio.
The ‘Imiloa Wayfinding & Navigation Festival honors these special people as stewards of knowledge, navigating our community into the future. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has provided support for the 2012 ‘Imiloa Wayfinding & Navigation Festival.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies and procedures to participate in this event should contact Jeff Harman at jharman@imiloahawaii.org or 969-9705, as soon as possible, but no later than 10 days before the scheduled event. For more information on the festival, please visit the website at www.imiloahawaii.org
