About Us

The Puakea Foundation of Hawaii was founded in honor of Bobby Puakea – known affectionately to us as “Uncle Bobby.” Please use the links below to jump down the page to read about the life and accomplishments of Uncle Bobby.

Highlights of Bobby’s Present Activities
Read About Bobby’s Early Years
History of Canoes and Clubs
Awards, Grants, and Donors Who Have Supported Bobby’s Work

Highlights of Bobby’s Activities

Uncle Bobby PuakeaUncle Bobby is formerly the Head Coach at Lanikai Canoe Club on Oahu. He was awarded a lifetime membership in 1996 for his role in leading the club to many championship titles, including back to back wins of the Men’s Molokai Hoe and a course record.

In 1996 in cooperation with the Hawaiʻi Community College and its project, Hana Pu Kalii (now known as the Hālau Na’au ao), Bobby initiated the art of canoe building in an institutional and educational setting. Halani is the completed canoe achieved through this project. Logs and support were provided by Keauhou CC and the Kamehameha CC in Hilo. Click here to look at photos from the project.

honolulu proclamationHe was awarded a special proclamation by the City and County of Honolulu in 2003. This certificate “honored and commended” Uncle Bobby for his commitment to preserving the art and traditions of hawaiian canoe building.

Bobby also currently serves on the board of directors of the Kekua Foundation, and continues all of his canoe activities in addition to holding down a “regular” job! With his wife Pat, he has a large family of children and grandchildren too.

In December, 2003, Bobby was acknowledged in Imua, the monthly publication of the Kamehameha Schools. A 1958 graduate, Bobby was cited for his work building a canoe at He’eia State Park with his apprentice, Wayne Washburn. The project is funded by the state Folk Arts Apprenticeship Award. According to Imua, “The program helps traditional artists further their work while allowing them to pass on their talent to a qualified individual.”

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Read About Bobby’s Early Years

Uncle Bobby was born In Hilo, and did a lot of growing up in Kona, around “three board canoes with an outboard” and iron roof canoes held together with a 2×4 on each end and tar scraped from the macadam roads! Throughout, he was watching 2, 3, and 4-man fishing canoes and 6-man racing canoes being built.

Learning the art of canoe building was not easy, especially from my father. From him I learned how to be patient, to become part of what you are doing, and most of all, to listen to the canoe or log. – Uncle Bobby

Uncles Antone Grace and Charles Mokuohai, along with Frank Hendricks and James Yamasaki were all canoe builders from Kona in the early 1900’s to the mid-50’s. They were joined by Bobby’s father, Robert Puakea Sr, and James Kahooilihala from Hilo. Canoes built at that time (Papaloa, Kona, Naia, Honaunau, Malia, Kaimalino, Kaiopua Ua, Kai Elua, and others) were all 6-man racing canoes. Some of the fishing canoes that were long enough, were made into racing canoes with the seats rearranged. #1 was the front seat, and 2, 3, 4, and 5 between the iako (outrigger) and 6 at the stern.

Watching these men and others working in the logs was boring to me at the time. Fishing, diving, swimming – all the good things when you are young – was more attractive to me then. Some of that knowledge did rub off on me though, and I am thankful for that. – Uncle Bobby

Robert Puakea Sr. and James Kahooilihala built their first racing canoe in Hilo during the 50’s. The canoe, eventually to be named Hilo Boy, was launched in 1956. Another racing canoe called Hilo Girl was also being built at the same time. It later was known as Kalanakila. These two canoes started Bobby on the road to becoming a “Kalai Waʻa'” (canoe builder).

As Bobby’s father stayed active in canoeing, refurbishing, patching, or anything that needed to be done to keep the canoe alive. Bobby’s journey began, he says, in 1976 with the formation of the Koolau Canoe Club in Kailua, Oahu.

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History of Canoes and Clubs

Here is a short selection of some of the many canoes Bobby has been privileged to work with over the years:

  • Hilo Boy – renamed Hoʻola; was rebuilt and extended from 38′ to the present 45′; still owned by Uncle Bobby
  • Hawaiian Warriors – extended the Kama O Kalani Ke Kai – renamed Pukaua Koa to 44′ with other modifications
  • Beach Boys CC – extended and modified Kamoho Alii
  • Healani CC – repaired cracks, etc. on the Papaloa, modified and extended Hoolale, and consulted on the build and later modifications of Mauwe, which was built by Tahitians
  • Hui Lanakila CC – extended Kai Holokai
  • Hui Nalu CC – repaired Maikai Roa and Uhanepauoa Kalani after major damage; redesigned Enay
  • Kailua CC – redesigned and extended Kalankila
  • Kamehameha CC (Hilo) – Halani, the first canoe built from a koa log in 1996; also modified and extended the Holonakaiakea
  • Keahou CC – second canoe built from a log, in 1998, the Makani Kai
  • Makaha CC – repairs and modifications to Hanakeoki, the oldest canoe built and still racing
  • Puna CC – rebuilt and modified Alii Kai
  • Waimanalo CC – extended and modified Ke A Laula
  • Keahiakahoe CC – modified and extended Maihaa Piti
  • Refurbished Minville, a 4-man surfing canoe, which is now on display in the Shriners Hospital

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Awards, Grants, and Donors Who Have Supported Bobby’s Work:

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