Honolulu Community College Hawaiian Studies Assistant Professor Kaʻiulani Murphy was one of six captains and navigators inducted as a Pwo Navigator in July during a sacred ceremony held on Oʻahu. Pwo is among the highest honors in traditional wayfinding, recognizing decades of ocean navigation, leadership and dedicated service.
Navigators from Satawal, Micronesia, representing the Weriyaeng School of Navigation, conducted the ceremony. The observance honored the training lineage of the late Pwo Master Navigator Mau Piailug, whose teachings revived traditional navigation in Hawaiʻi and throughout Polynesia, and who inducted Hawaiʻi’s first five Pwo Navigators on Satawal in 2007.
Kuleana to teach
For Murphy, who has navigated the open ocean for more than 20 years aboard the iconic voyaging canoe 贬ō办ū濒别ʻ补, the title is deeply tied to her duty as an educator.
“All of us who have the privilege to voyage have a kuleana (responsibility) to teach and share. I’m grateful for my mentors and the opportunity to share this ʻike (knowledge) as a kumu at Honolulu CC and at 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补, where I took Hoʻokele (voyaging) courses from Professor Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa,” Murphy said.
Murphy began her voyaging journey in 1997 as a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 before first sailing aboard 贬ō办ū濒别ʻ补 in 1998. Since 2008, she has taught Hawaiian astronomy, navigation and voyaging skills at Honolulu CC, and also teaches at 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补. Through online and in-person instruction, nighttime observational labs and hands-on sailing, Murphy guides the next generation of wayfinders.
Leadership for the future
As one of four women inducted in the first Pwo ceremony ever conducted in Hawaiʻi, Murphy hopes their journey inspires future voyagers.
Pwo Navigator and Polynesian Voyaging Society CEO Nainoa Thompson said, “This induction of six new Pwo in Hawaiʻi is a statement of the advancement of leadership in voyaging. It’s a graduation of six leaders who will lead voyaging into the next 50 years.”
