Nainoa Thompson @ Talk Story...

a few months ago, I'd seen the upcoming schedule for "Talk Story" at 

Turtle Bay.  One name caught my eye and I knew we had to be there.

Nainoa Thompson

I knew that hubby would be home and not on the mainland, so when I told

him, he was very excited.

Nainoa Thompson is the navigator of the sailing canoe Hokule'a, trustee of Kamehameha

and Polynesian Voyaging Society.

We'd met him many years ago along with his teacher, Mau Piailug.

Terry has read his book and because he's also sailed, can appreciate

 Nainoa and his wayfinding.

I knew that he doesn't do a lot of public speaking, so this was going to be 

something special.

Surfer, The Bar, changed things because of this special guest.  There wouldn't be

any food/drink served past a certain time.  It was so nice because it was very 

quite.

I love their cheese, fruit and meat platter

hubby had a great hamburger and fries.

the evening opened with Aunty Kanani, Coco and friends from Waimea

doing an ole and prayer.

There was a very touching moment when to members of the Laie community came

to thank him for bringing the Hokule'a to Hukilau Beach a few months ago so

the people from that side could see it.

love this format, just him being asked question by Jodi while sitting in big chair on stage.

He sat for an hour and 15 minutes talking about his love of wayfinding, why the Hokule'a

is going on an around the world voyage in May 2014 and his feelings about 

Eddie Aikau.

As he was talking about Eddie and his relationship with him before

leaving on that ill-fated voyage (he said he was actually afraid of him- he was the "great Eddie"), 

you could hear a pin drop.  It was amazing.

He told about Eddie's love of Hokule'a and what she was going to do and

what she represented.

He said something that I'll probably always remember…

"…Eddie had to go.  He had to sail on Holkule'a for all of the people of Hawaii

an polynesia.  He had to sail and bring her pride to the people of Hawai'i".

You always see those stickers, "Eddie Would Go".  He explained what the drive was

for Eddie and everyone that sails on the canoe.

It was standing room only and I'm sure that there were people

there that came away with a whole better understanding just what the 

Hokule'a represents to the people of Hawai'i.

Pride

Thank You Jodi for such a great night
and an added treat getting to see Marisa, Coco and Aunty Kanani