WHAT MAKES A CANOE, HAWAIIAN?
Traditional construction and cultural practices associated with the Hawaiian canoe are grounded in age old beliefs shaped by the delicately balanced "life cycle" of an island environment.
Today, a cultural shift is occurring among users of the Hawaiian canoe. Traditional Native Hawaiian values rooted in community, spirituality, and environmental stewardship are giving way to the more dominant ideals of individualism, convenience, and efficiency. This shift is gradually eroding the cultural integrity of the Hawaiian canoe.
Also contributing to this cultural erosion is the loss of native building materials and the growing reliance on modern substitutes. This, combined with the transformation of the canoe from a versatile, multi-use vessel into one built primarily for specialized commercial or competitive purposes, have further diminished the authenticity of this iconic cultural artifact.
While cultural evolution is natural and necessary in any living tradition, changes that disconnect a practice from the physical and cultural environment in which it was born threatens the survival of that tradition.
While the loss of indigenous building materials make the shift to modern materials almost inescapeable, the need to understand the essence of those indigenous materials and the need to become involved in efforts to re-establish those natural resources, are critical to the cultural elements that define the Hawaiian Canoe.
But what might be more critical to the identity of the Hawaiian canoe is the mental attitude of the people who are engaged in Hawaiian Canoe activities. To preserve the Hawaiian canoe’s authenticity, its history, cultural values, and traditional practices must continue to live in the hearts, minds, and hands of those engaged with the Hawaiian canoe.
Without this deep connection, the canoe risks losing its Hawaiian soul—its unique cultural identity. Without the deep cultural base, the Hawaiian canoe becomes something else entirely.
