American Savings Bank presenting Uncle Bobby with $5000 to help replace his stolen tools.
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.
Everyone at the foundation is so grateful for all of the support and attention regarding the theft of his tools. He recorded this video and we now have a YouTube Channel! More to come this year.
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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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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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
The foundation has had a wonderful year full of rich experiences touching and being touched by so many.
Our own Auntie Pat (Uncle Bobby’s wife) has prepared a year end newsletter, complete with pictures!
Please download it here (PDF) and share the many happenings of the Puakea Foundation in 2010.
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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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.
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:
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!