COMMUNITY SERVICE

MAUI'S VOYAGING CANOE IN MAALAEA- After months of being in dry dock, without a safe harbor, Maui's first voyaging canoe has a new home at Maalaea Small Boat Harbor. The 62' double hulled Mo'okiha O Pi'ilani was moved Tuesday , the day after it's permanent mooring permit was secured.

More than 1000 volunteers helped Hui o Wa'a Kaulua build the canoe in an effort that took more than 18 years. After launching in July of 2014 the canoe was first moored in waters off 525 Front Street in Lahaina. But the West Maui location proved vulnerable to high winds and swells.

As part of the search to find a new home, board President Kimokeo Kapahulehua helped create a bill which passed the Legislature to provide moorings for cultural canoes. To complete the documents for a permanent mooring, Kimokeo called on Structural Engineer, Josh Murphree and Steve Madaras of Maui Mooring Service."   - Courtesy Maui news April 9, 2016.

Steve Madaras provided his time and equipment as an "act of love" and "giving back". Steve and his crew consisting of his son, Tim Madaras Rollo, Steve Harmon of SCUBA LUV MAUI and Randy Burch of SCUBA LUV MAUI volunteered their time, hard work, many underwater hours to install four new manta moorings in Maalaea Harbor for the canoe. Mo'okiha O'Piilani  will also be used as a floating classroom to promote the Hawaiian culture and to provide education to promote protection of our delicate marine environment....