Feeling the heat

Five years ago, I spent summer in Hawaii. Here’s a look back …

I had been warned not to pack jeans. Oahu is hot and humid all the time, seriously, 24 hours a day, my friend Lisa told me over the phone. She had flown to Honolulu a month before and settled into her job at a nonprofit native Hawaiian law firm and into the studio cottage we’d share the rest of summer.

But I pack jeans anyway. My first full day in Hawaii, I pull them up my legs, zip the zipper, slip on a T-shirt and tie my hair in a ponytail. At the last second, I apply some makeup. People are attractive here.

This is a mistake. It’s so hot. I’m drenching sweat, trying to make my way to a convenience store for water. I hate Hawaii. Why do people even come here? Why do I insist on wearing such tight jeans? And why are there no convenience stores?! I’m so annoyed. The Converse All Stars would have to go, too. This is Daisy Dukes and flip-flops territory. The next day, I walk to the public library to grab maps for bus routes, with no choice but to quickly and desperately figure out the (air-conditioned) bus system. Later, I disembark outside Goodwill to purchase more shorts and tank tops.

Now, I’m ready to start.

This is Nainoa Thompson! (courtesy: PVS)

I traveled to Hawaii almost on a whim, when Lisa called to tell me about this Polynesian voyaging group she heard about from colleagues at her internship. Why don’t I write about this group for my final graduate school project, she suggested. Sure, sounds pretty good to me!

But this trip wouldn’t include pricey luaus or tanning on Waikiki beach all day — OK, maybe I engaged in little (a lot) of that.

Within a couple weeks, I’d visit the Hawaii State Art Museum, Bishop Museum and (now closed) Hawaii Maritime Center, and spend most afternoons walking around downtown Honolulu. I toured ‘Iolani Palance and St. Andrew’s Cathedral where a stained-glass window shows Jesus ascending Heaven on a surfboard. I quickly got over my hesitation of killing bugs — specifically, cockroaches and centipedes — and learned to ignore geckos squirming around the walls above my bed. I developed a fondess for Yellowman and memorized every lyric to a song about wanting to be free. It was great.

But, as time slipped away, my ultimate mission remained unfulfilled: A face-to-face meeting with Nainoa Thompson. And this had to happen.

Mahalo very much

You people are awesome! Or, at least, 20 of you. The rest of you are just OK. I’m so totally kidding! But I would like to especially thank all the contributors to my Kickstarter “Wailing Peacocks” project, which has already surpassed its goal amount. I truly appreciate your support.

Thanks to those of you who sent messages with words of encouragement. While I’m on a roll, I’d like to also express my gratitude to Cole Allen for creating the cute (and meaningful) hula dancer video.

Loss to the PVS ‘ohana

The Polynesian Voyaging Society lost a special member of its family March 8 with the death of Herb Kawainui Kāne. A Hawaiian artist, historian and cofounder of PVS, Kāne, 82, passed away on the 36th anniversary of Hokule’a’s maiden launch. He helped design this voyaging canoe and served as its first captain.

Herb Kawainui Kāne, Hawaiian artist, historian and cofounder of Polynesian Voyaging Society, passed away March 8.

Kāne helped usher in the Hawaiian Renaissance. A statement on the PVS blog says, “his vision of drawing upon our heritage to build our future was not just the founding of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, but the basis of rediscovery of pride for thousands of Hawaiians.”

I hope my “Wailing Peacocks” project will offer insight into the legacy he’s left behind.

Let me explain

Aloha, dear friends and welcome to “Wailing Peacocks,” a blog devoted to sharing the true story of how a navigator, double-hulled canoes and dozens of volunteers voyage to distant places to demonstrate the value of home.

That’s awfully vague, isn’t it?

Let me explain. This project, affectionately nicknamed “For Hawaii, With Love,” centers on the revival of ancient Polynesian voyaging in Hawaii, and how this movement has helped restore cultural pride in native Hawaiians. This year, the group behind the movement — the Polynesian Voyaging Society — celebrates the 35th anniversary of its maiden voyage by embarking on a series of stateside sails.

Check out Kickstarter to see my acting debut.

I am the journalist hoping to share their story.

And I’m seeking your support — that’s right, you! — to complete a feature magazine article about this Hawaiian Renaissance. This summer, I will travel to Honolulu, HI for two weeks to conduct interviews, observe the crew and, ideally, participate in a short-distance voyage. I will post daily photos, video and reflections on this blog. In the meantime, I’ll use this platform to share related news, explain why this topic matters and pretty much post whatever else my little heart desires.

A national magazine has expressed interest in the feature article, but cannot cover expenses. I’ve launched a Kickstarter project to help offset flight, housing and transportation costs. You can contribute here. This project won’t happen without you and I will remember your generosity for-ev-er. Seriously!

To see samples of my writing, check out Earth Island Journal, Alternet, Sacramento News & Review, Chico News & Review, Monterey County Weekly, Eugene Weekly and Missoula Independent. I’ve also been published in Forest Magazine, off our backs, Cooperative Business Journal and the newspaper where I currently work.

Thanks, and kiss, kiss!