The Koʻolauloa ʻOhana Waʻa Training Camp was created with a simple but powerful purpose: to build connections within the voyaging community and inspire new generations of voyagers. Founded and coordinated by Kahia Walker, the four-day training camp has quickly become a space where culture, learning, and unity come together on and off the water.
The inspiration for the camp was sparked during a transformative journey last summer aboard Marumaru Atua, sailing from Hawaiʻi to Rarotonga. Near the end of the voyage, Captain Peia shared his vision of expanding voyaging opportunities so more people could experience the magic of sailing and reconnect with their cultural heritage. His words left a lasting impression and planted the seed for what would become a growing movement back home.
Despite Hawaiʻi’s deep voyaging history, for nearly a decade, there was no active voyaging community in Kahia’s home area of Koʻolauloa. Through the determination and collective effort of the community, it began to change. The waʻa Iosepa was repaired, additional canoes were built, and voyaging slowly returned to life.
This year marked the second training camp, held March 18–22 2025, continuing the commitment to strengthening a growing voyaging ʻohana.
One of the greatest lessons learned through voyaging is that we are all one people. Across islands, cultures, and backgrounds, we are connected by a shared responsibility to perpetuate the art of wayfinding. Recognising this common purpose, the Cook Islands Voyaging Society (CIVS) was invited to participate in the camp.
This year, two CIVS members, Antony Vavia and Metua Vai-ne Tauirarii Mitchell, attended the Koʻolauloa ʻOhana Waʻa Training Camp, joining in hands-on training, cultural exchange, and shared learning alongside the Koʻolauloa community. Their presence strengthened connections between Hawaiʻi and the Cook Islands and reinforced the importance of collaboration across voyaging networks.
By sharing methods used in Koʻolauloa to rebuild a voyaging tradition, the camp aimed to support the efforts of other communities working to keep their waʻa sailing. While each island’s journey is unique, the collective goal remains the same: to ensure voyaging knowledge, practice, and values continue to thrive.
At the heart of the Koʻolauloa ʻOhana Waʻa Training Camp is the embrace of waʻa magic the deep sense of connection, purpose, and unity that comes from being on the ocean together. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and cultural practice, participants are given the opportunity to experience that magic firsthand.
As relationships continue to grow across islands and voyaging communities, the future remains strong. By learning from one another and standing together, we can ensure our waʻa continue to sail not only today, but for generations to come.
