Marshall Islands Outrigger Canoe
Built during 2007 International Festival of Canoes
Lahaina, Maui
by Eric Newman
Memorial Day weekend of 2008 found us at my favorite place on Earth: Lahaina, Maui. Back then, Lahaina hosted the International Festival of Canoes - an event where teams throughout the world begin with big tree trunks and chain saws and compete to build a winning canoe. Any excuse to go to Lahaina is enthusiastically embraced, and any time to gather under the Banyan Tree when the homeless crazies have been displaced is guaranteed to be special.
Silent Charity Auction for Lahaina Cultural Heritage Programs
2008 International Festival of Canoes in Lahaina
People incorrectly assume that these canoes are made from the beautiful Koa wood found on the islands and in Martin and MacArthur Stores. Wrong, a Koa tree big enough to build a canoe is now rare and worth a kabillion dollars. These and most carved Hawaiian canoes are made from Albizia wood brought in from the Big Island. During the first week of the canoe festival, the Albizia logs are hollowed out in Kamehameha Iki Park, then moved to Banyan Tree Park for the finishing work.
Newly Completed Outrigger Canoe the Previous Year During the
2007 International Festival of Canoes at Kamehameha Iki Park in Lahaina
Canoe Poster at the International Festival of Canoes
We walked among skilled craftsmen putting finishing touches on traditional canoes with their modern power tools. There was a silent charity auction for a three-man 21-foot long outrigger canoe built by the Marshall Islands team the previous year at this same event.
The time was two months into the building of our house, and I thought this canoe would be perfect in a Koi pond directly outside our dining room windows.
Why not build a resort-style hut to shelter the canoe, where Mai Tais and Lava Flows could be served? This wasn't like the cigarette lighter impulse purchase at the checkout stand. I had already investigated several respected canoe builders and determined the appropriate size. And this canoe was way bigger and nicer.
The silent auction sheet was short, the bids were about half the cost of building, and there was less than an hour left until the close of the auction. If another bidder walked up they would overhear impromptu exaggerated flaws with this canoe. No other bidders came.
Silent Charity Auction for Lahaina Cultural Heritage Programs
2008 International Festival of Canoes in Lahaina
Since the money was going to the a real charity - the Lahaina Cultural Heritage Programs, there was that tax deduction, right? That would be the difference of the canoe's market value and the winning bid - something like negative $5,000. OK, so no tax deduction, and never mind the timing was just six months from the beginning of the biggest economic collapse of my lifetime. Oh, we also got the promotional signs, paddles, and the carved wooden bailer.
End of Auction for Lahaina Cultural Heritage Programs
6:00 PM, Memorial Day, May 26, 2008 under the Banyan Tree
International Festival of Canoes in Lahaina
Marshall Islands Outrigger Canoe
End of Auction for Lahaina Cultural Heritage Programs
International Festival of Canoes in Lahaina
You correctly concluded that this page wouldn't exist if I had not "won" this beautiful canoe. Several members of the Lahaina Cultural Heritage Programs staff offered to help transport the canoe to my lot on the opposite side of West Maui. A week later I paid a trucking service for delivery, and the framers of the house carried it off to the side of the construction site. Three giant tarps and three-and-a-half years later, building began on the hut for the canoe.
A launching of the completed canoes was held on the last day at Lahaina's oceanfront park. Crowds gathered on the beach near sunset to watch the traditional launching ceremony.
Once called "Maui's Signature Cultural Event," Lahaina no longer hosts the International Festival of Canoes. Like Lahaina's famous Mardi Gras of the Pacific at Halloween, the Canoe Festival is gone.
Do not fret, the Chinese jewelry stores and the activities brokers still abound in Lahaina.
YouTube Video
International Festival of Canoes, Lahaina, Maui
Original Acrylic Painting of this Actual Canoe
by Darice Machel in a Koa Frame
YouTube Video
International Festival of Canoes in Lahaina
YouTube Video
Festivals of Hawaii - International Festival of Canoes
2007 Blessing and Launch of this Actual
Marshall Islands Outrigger Canoe
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Launch and Maiden Voyage Marshall Islands Outrigger Canoe 2007 International Festival of Canoes in Lahaina |
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[International Festival of Canoes - Lahaina] [Waan Aelon in Majel - Canoes of the Marshall Islands]
 Outrigger Canoe on the Property |
 Outrigger Canoe on the Property |
 PVC Pipe Around Canoe to Support Tarp |
 Canoe under the first of three tarps |
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 Canoe On Property |
Sell your cleverness and purchase bewilderment.
-Rumi
Copyright © 2011 - 2013 Eric Newman *All rights reserved
Introduction
The Bare Lot
The Initial Planning
The House Never Built
The Building of the House
Catchment Water Design
The Farm Plan
Terraced Walls
Outrigger Canoe
Canoe Hut
The Building of the Barn
Things to do on Maui
Notable People
Eric Newman Home
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