BLESSING OF THE NEW WA'A (PA'ALE), KE'EHI, JULY 7, 2007

There she sits...Pa'ale.  The name was chosen by Scotty and Russ from a compiled list of names submitted by 18 Ka Mamamalahoe paddlers.  There were many great names given but in the end, Scotty and Russ chose the name sent in by Ted...Pa'ale.  Translated, it means "wave cutter".  An old Hawaiian man who befriended Ted long ago had an old  wa'a with that name.  From that "kumu" (source), Pa'ale, and and that kind, old Hawaiian man live on, in this newer version.  Let's all malama (take care) of this new member of our Ohana.  Pa'ale won't have to wait long to see some action.  It will be put to the test in the always fun Waikiki Regatta on July 15th.

Active paddlers and paddlers at heart came out for this occasion.

Marilyn, Nola and Char

Lorna, Sarah, Stacy, Susan

Ted and Kahu Dennis Salas converse before beginning the ceremony

Kahu Salas begins the ceremony surrounded by a host of paddlers

Hawaiians have always had great reverence for the sea.  It sustained the people with food and life for all who worked and played respectfully its domain. The symbolism in christening a new wa'a with sea water is so that the wa'a will prosper and sustain the lives of it's paddlers. 

Kahu Salas brings everyone in so that the good "mana" can be passed to the wa'a and it's paddlers

Q, Kui, Kai, Brian, Ted and Frank take Pa'ale out on its inaugural run on the water

Mahalo everbody and E' Ola O' Pa'ale! (Long live Pa'ale)