Kakaako mural supports the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s mission

Kaupali Aipoalani Wong, 14, spent part of her Saturday painting a beach scene on a stretch of Kakaako pavement that will become part of a community mural to honor and support the voyaging canoe the Hokule‘a.

“I painted the beach because it’s what I enjoy the most about Hawaii. What does Hokule‘a mean to me? That’s simple, it means home,” said Wong as local entertainer Kaohu Smith crooned “Is This Love” from a nearby stage.

The mural project, which launched a membership drive for the Polynesian Voyaging Society, is intended to increase awareness of the Hokule‘a and to raise money for its voyages and educational programs. The sailing canoe is just completing the interisland mahalo portion of a three-year endeavor called the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage. That effort took it across 60,000 nautical miles and into 150 ports and 23 nations. Its sister canoe, the Hikianalia, also is gearing up for a 30-day sail, which will take it across the Pacific Ocean with stops along the California coast.

On Saturday, individuals who donated $5 and families that donated $20 were invited to leave some paint strokes that were later to be combined into a Hokule‘a -themed mural by artist John “Prime” Hina, founder of Urban 808. The mural is on Keawe Street between Auahi and Pohu­kaina streets.

Hina expects to complete the community mural between Aug. 25 and Sept. 1. He and his team will formulate a final design using input from the community and from the Hokule‘a’s team, including PVS President Nainoa Thompson, who left his handprints on the pavement Saturday.

“It’s really about having genuine conversations about what is navigating,” Hina said. “It all starts with trust.”

The goal for Saturday was to raise $20,000 and to at least double membership for PVS, which was founded in 1973 “to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging.”

PVS had reached only about 20 percent of its goal by late Saturday afternoon, but Todd Yamashita, PVS communications specialist, said the organization was pleased to have signed up 80 new members.

Yamashita said PVS planned to continue working to raise the $20,000 by year’s end, which would add to the $40,700 that the organization has raised year to date and build on the $86,700 that it raised last year.

“I hear people say all the time, ‘PVS got plenty money.’ We do have great sponsors, but we absolutely depend on private individuals making monetary and in-kind donations and joining our ‘ohana wa’a,’ canoe family,” Yama­shita said. “The future of Polynesian voyaging requires a strong canoe family.”

Sonja Swenson, PVS spokeswoman, said it cost $15 million in monetary donations and another $15 million of in-kind donations to fund the Hokule‘a’s Malama Honua voyage. The nonprofit’s fundraising efforts also will go toward the Hikianalia’s California voyage and other educational voyages and programs, Swenson said.

“Each month, our programs touch hundreds of kids,” she said.

Next year PVS will call on all its supporters — young and old — as it launches a bold development campaign to get everyone in Hawaii to become a member, said Mehana Maka‘ina‘i, who works in fund development for PVS.

“Malama Honua, which means to care for the planet, is a message that everyone can get behind, so why not?” Maka‘ina‘i said. “Memberships start at $1 to join. If everyone in Hawaii becomes a member, PVS will be able to continue our mission to educate, influence and inspire.”