Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Hui Holomua Business Fest

Kimokeo Greets the Canoes at Sunrise

The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce holds an annual business festival and cultural ceremony at the Grand Wailea, Maui. The one day business retreat offers free workshops and opportunities to network with Hawaii’s top industrial, scientific, commercial and political leaders—all with a focus on preserving and practicing Hawaiian culture and values in today’s world.

Maui Canoe Club has been an ardent supporter of the Chamber, and for this years canoe ceremony we were given the honor of leading all of the canoes to the ceremonial beach. The theme of the ceremony was Malama the Reef (take care of the reef) and MCC, with it’s mostly white canoes that most closely represent the reef, were chosen for this honorable position. Another consequence of this honor was that we were also chosen to escort the Chamber’s distinguished guest.

As always, the ceremonial canoes left Chang’s Beach just before dawn to land at Wailea Beach at sunrise, with all of the paddlers wearing white kihei. This part of the ceremony can’t help but be dramatic and beautiful, and is a powerful kickoff to the rest of the opening ceremony.

Upon arriaval, the distinguished guests were led to the land-based part of the ceremony, followed by all of the paddlers and other guests. In the spirit of malama the reef, each paddler was given a small piece of coral. The paddlers then placed their coral in a lauhala basket that was presented for blessings from the Hawaiian kahu. After the blessings, each paddler placed the coral around a low lava altar. More blessings and prayers were said, ending the cermonial portion of the Chambers business fest.

Pre-dawn Launch

Approaching the Beach

Arrival

Placing Coral in Lauhala Baskets for Blessings

Canoes on the Beach