After the devastating Lahaina Fire ravaged the city last year, one of Maui’s voyaging canoes was floating offshore: the 62-foot, 12-ton Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani. It was in the waters facing 525 Front St., outside Kamehameha Iki Park where it was built.

Captain Tim Gilliom almost didn’t make it out of the fire while trying to rescue Mo’olelewhich is considered the mom canoe by members of the Maui boating community. Unfortunately, it burned down along with all of Hui O Waʻa Kaulua’s operations.

As the crew mourned Lahaina and the loss of Mo’olele, they knew they had to evacuate Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani. The canoe and its crew headed to the shores of Molokaʻi for refuge.

From there she sailed to O’ahu only to enter dry dock as she was covered in black ash. As Hui O Waʻa Kaulua considered what to do next, they realized the community needed help. Hui O Waʻa Kaulua delivered 6 million pounds of goods through their hub to Lahaina survivors.

A new canoe, Naleilehua, is being built from the same molds as Mo’olele and is almost complete. “Everyone in the wa’a world knows Mo’olele and knows how special it is,” the organization’s leaders said.

Hui O Waʻa Kaulua celebrates the 10th anniversary of Moʻokiha O Piʻilani on November 23, 2024 at Seascape Restaurant in Mā’alaea. A lei-draping ceremony will take place at 5:00 p.m. under the restaurant, followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Hui O Waʻa. website.

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