Valuable Tools Stolen from Uncle Bobby

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Roxanne

Uncle Bobby teaching a young boy woodworking skills A 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

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Roxanne

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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Make Your Own Paddle Workshop – March, 2011

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Roxanne

It’s back again! Uncle Bobby’s paddle workshops are a rich experience in learning about Hawaiian culture, tropical woods, and the ocean sport of outrigger canoeing. More details > Continue reading →

Raffle Winners from the State Races

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Roxanne

Puakea Foundation had a table at the state outrigger canoe races and we gave away one of Uncle Bobby’s beautiful paddles along with some t-shirts and other goodies. It’s always great hanging out with paddlers and letting them know about the terrific work and sharing that comes from Uncle Bobby and all of the volunteers for the foundation. Hope to see you sometime soon too!
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It’s Official: We are a legal nonprofit organization!

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Roxanne

Effective October 13, 2009, we were granted our United States 501c3 recognition. As you can imagine, this was a long time in development, relying on the tremendous efforts of our volunteer board and the many other volunteers who assisted us with the planning, legal, and accounting advice.

This makes our grant funding process much easier! We hope you will celebrate with us by making a donation to help preserve the art and culture of Polynesian canoeing. There are fewer and fewer in this age of technology who know about those precious skills of working the water and the wood that define so much of outrigger paddling. Many of us know it as a sport, but it is also transportation of bodies and minds to new places, new adventures, and new awareness of what can be.

Your support means Uncle Bobby can continue to teach our local youth, restore old and damaged koa canoes, and buy materials to continue his education and restoration activities. Let’s paddle together!

Our Federal Tax ID number is 20-5395153.

You can donate safe and secure online via PayPal:

Mahalo to each of you who has been part of this growth and development of the Puakea Foundation of Hawaii.

Make Your Own Hawaiian Paddle Workshop

Posted on December 26, 2008 by Roxanne

Uncle Bobby’s paddle workshops are rich experiences in learning about Hawaiian culture, in tropical woods, and in the ocean sport of outrigger canoeing. There is room for 10 participants.

Dates: Jan 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31-Feb 1 (2009)
Time: 8 am – 12 noon
Location: Bobby’s home in Kaneʻohe; directions will be sent after you register
Price: $325 for Foundation Members; $350 for others (one year membership is included)

The paddle making workshop is hands-on and includes learning how a paddle is made, how to repair a paddle, and selecting a paddle of your own to ﬁnish from the rough stage. You will also learn the origins and characteristics of many woods. Using both power tools and hand-shaping, this is your chance to be immersed in Hawaiian woodworking.

Comments from Past Attendees:

“Bobby’s style of teaching made the workshop very enjoyable. He truly exemplifies the aloha spirit.”
“Bobby was amazing – generous with time, energy, knowledge, love and attention.”
“It was a wonderful mix of information, skill-building, and social interaction. I loved the hands-on stuff – especially use of the machines. Pat’s food was great!”

Getting Ready for Molokai

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Roxanne

It is long distance racing season and the Foundation is preparing to send crews on the Kaʻiwi Channel 41-mile crossing. They will be racing in the koa canoe, which is rarely used these days as most clubs use their fiberglass boats.

If you are racing for the Puakea Foundation, you will need to complete these two documents (PDF’s):

Puakea Membership Form (PDF)

Puakea Foundation Adult Waiver Form (PDF)

Please download and sign theses forms, then give them to Alana.

Aloha and paddle strong, paddlers!

Annual Meeting This Sunday!

Posted on March 27, 2008 by Roxanne

Date: Sunday, March 30th, 2008

Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Location: Heeia State Park
Heeia State Park is just north of Kaneohe. Pull into the parking lot and look for us at the west end of the lot near the canoe halau – you can’t miss us!

Here is the map to Heeia State Park.

You are invited to attend the Annual Foundation Meeting to be held at Heeia State Park at Uncle Bobby’s canoe shed. Please bring your family and friends.

The meeting will have small pupus and drinks. Feel free to bring your own if you like too. Uncle Bobby will be giving a brief update about the Foundation’s activities over the past year and you can pick up brochures to tell your friends about the work of the foundation.

“You will be able to see the koa canoe restoration projects that we have been working on. I hope to see you there.” – Uncle Bobby

Board Meeting News from Feb 9

Posted on February 9, 2008 by Roxanne

We had a busy meeting and a great turnout for this month’s board meeting.

Save the Date!
We are having a General Membership Meeting at Heeia Park from 4 pm – 7 pm. We’ll be having light pupus and Uncle Bobby will show us the continuing work on the Hoʻolale and Meʻe canoes.

We are also in the process of setting up online membership payments. We hope you will join our foundation and support the work of preserving Pacific Islands Canoe Culture.

To make sure we keep you informed, please sign up for our email newsletter!

Puakea Foundation of Hawaii, Inc

Perpetuating Pacific Island Canoe Culture

Author Archives: Roxanne