WAIMEA, Hawaii – Something special was cooking on Saturday at the Mala‘ai Garden of Waimea Middle School.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society presented the ‘Aipono Workshop, sponsored by the Hawaii Island School Garden Network. It introduced the various school garden teachers and volunteers in attendance to Malama Honua: The Worldwide Voyage of the Hokule‘a and Hikianalia as an example of feeding the whole self; the physical, emotion, and spiritual self.

We spoke to Nancy Redfeather, a teacher and organic gardener, and the program director of the Hawai’i Island School Garden Network. Such educational programs help fulfill the voyage’s mission.

In Saturday’s workshop, the focus was on the voyaging foods that have been used and eaten throughout the years of wayfinding. Kaiulani Odom shared her knowledge of the history of the foods that have been used on the voyages. Kealoha Hoe shared family recipes. Also present, navigator Chadd Paishon and voyager Pomai Bertelman.

After the demonstration, a taste test of the various herbs and spices that can be used to spice up a meal at sea. Then, a blessing, before lunch was served. The sort of feast one might enjoy aboard the wa‘a.

Next: Malama Honua voyage prepares

Meanwhile, the Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia are back home at Sand Island. The voyaging canoes will continue crew training, provisioning the wa’a, and preparing both vessels to leave for Tahiti in May 2014.

Earlier this summer, the Hokule’a embarked on the Mālama Hawaiʻi voyage, which leads into the Malama Honua adventure. The first leg of the journey left from Hilo in the summer.

Hokule’a in Hilo – Part 1 of 5

In the past six months, Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia have sailed 2,500 nautical miles, visited 33 communities, and received more 60,000 volunteer hours of support during their Mālama Hawaiʻi journey. The Polynesian Voyaging Society says the most significant statistic, however, is the 20,000 school children that have connected with the canoes, far more than the benchmark of 5,000.