Mahalo Nui to American Savings Bank!

American Savings Bank presenting Uncle Bobby with $5000 to help replace his stolen tools.

American Savings Bank presenting Uncle Bobby with $5000 to help replace his stolen tools.

The first day the word went out about the theft of thousands of dollars’ worth of tools from Uncle Bobby, one of the first calls to come in was from American Savings Bank. They donated $5,000 to the Foundation! Featured here with Uncle Bobby are Laurie Komatsu and Patti Cristobal.

We are so incredibly grateful for their support – to give so generously without asking! That is warm aloha and it will bless all of the canoes and paddles that carry the spirt of Polynesian canoe canoe around the world.

Valuable Tools Stolen from Uncle Bobby

Uncle Bobby teaching a young boy woodworking skillsA week ago someone(s) broke into the container at Heʻeia Park where Uncle Bobby stores the tools he uses to repair Hawaiian canoes and give workshops to both keiki and adults in the arts of woodworking and Polynesian canoe culture. We are very grateful to the Star Advertiser who featured this story on the home page of their online edition!

The support is rolling in and we wanted to let all of you know how grateful we are to each and everyone of you! We will be updating this page as more news comes in. Please take a moment to join our email list (at right) so we can include you in our ocean and canoe-loving ʻohana! We have a “Make Your Own Paddle” workshop coming soon in March, 2011 too.
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Annual Meeting April 9th & Canoe Workshop

You are invited to attend our

CANOE WORKSHOP AND HANDS ON DEMONSTRATION
10 am til 3:30 pm
Heʻeia State Park
Google Map
Learn about the apprenticeship program and see how Uncle Bobby takes the wounded old koa canoes and fixes their pukas! Several “paddles in the making” will also be on hand so you can see the process. Plus learn how Uncle Bobby travels to the koa forest on the Big Island leading youth groups to understand about the makings of a canoe from the very beginning.
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