Puakea Foundation - Perpetuating Pacific Islands Canoe Culture

Puakea Foundation

The Puakea Foundation of Hawai‘i, Inc. was founded in 2005 in honor of Bobby Puakea, aka Uncle Bobby. The foundation is dedicated to preserving Pacific Island Canoe Culture.
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About Our Programs

Uncle Bobby and students who attended his Make Your Own Paddle workshop

EDUCATION

Education is a core part of our mission. Every year, Uncle Bobby teaches a three-week course on How to Make Your Own Paddle. He also frequently hosts visitors and school groups who watch him work repairing koa canoes at the halau.
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Women's crew approaching the finish line of the Na Wahine o ke kai race

RACING

Canoe culture is deeply centered around the art and sport of outrigger canoe racing. The Puakea Foundation promotes the traditional use of koa canoes in races throughout the U.S. and also supports Men’s and Women’s teams.
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photo of the Ho‘ola koa canoe

WA‘A GENEALOGY

In 2015, the Puakea Foundation began a long-term project to identify and catalog all of the koa wa‘a (canoes) here in Hawai‘i. We estimate there are close to 100 of them, and we are gathering details of their history and current location.
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Articles from Our Blog

Join the Puakea Foundation in Celebrating Pacific Island Canoe Culture at our annual Casino Night Fundraiser: June 16th, 2023

by | May 13, 2023 | News | 0 Comments

Dear Friends, Paddlers, Canoe Clubs, Coaches, and Wa‘a Builders! This is a very special auction event this year and we hope you will join us! Yes, we are fundraising for the Puakea Foundation, AND,...
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photo of man sanding his wood canoe paddle in the making

Paddle Making Workshop 2023

by | December 5, 2022 | Workshops | 0 Comments

Uncle Bobby's Paddle Workshop returns in FEBRUARY 2023 Uncle Bobby’s once a year paddle workshop is back! Donʻt miss out. This is a UNIQUE experience in learning about Hawaiian culture, tropical...
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photo of man sanding his wood canoe paddle in the making

Paddle Making Workshop 2020

by | March 20, 2020 | Workshops | 0 Comments

APRIL 2020 Uncle Bobby's Paddle Workshop April 17th: Aloha Friends, due to current circumstances it is with great regret that Uncle Bobby's second Paddle Making Workshop has been postponed...
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