The Kanaloa Ceremony is a deeply rooted cultural practice that invites participants into a sacred space to connect with the spirit and mana of whales, ancient guardians of wisdom and perseverance. Held on the ocean in the presence of these kupuna, the ceremony encourages humility, reflection, and deep listening through one’s naʻau, the emotional and spiritual center.
Led by Kaʻapuni Aiwohi, Pacific Whale Foundation’s Community Engagement and Communications Manager, and guided by cultural practitioner Roxanne Keliʻikipi, Chair of Kiaʻi Kanaloa, the ceremony reflects traditions upheld by the statewide cultural responder network in partnership with NOAA. Roxanne, who also serves as the Chief Cultural Seat on the board of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, first introduced this practice to PWF through the Research Department in collaboration with Chief Scientist Jens Currie aboard the research vessel Kaiao.
What began as a grounding cultural protocol for the Research team has since evolved into a meaningful, organization wide experience. In the most recent ceremony, staff from every department came together as one, reaffirming a shared commitment to cultural responsibility and environmental stewardship. The gathering infused PWF’s mission-driven work with renewed intention, purpose, and connection for the year ahead.
Since joining Pacific Whale Foundation over a year ago as a cultural practitioner, Kaʻapuni Aiwohi has become a guiding voice in strengthening PWF’s cultural foundation. “The ceremony helps us honor the people, the culture, and the perspectives of this environment long before we arrived,” he explains. “Leading this work ensures we remain respectful as we uplift our communities. We are growing in the ways we can be examples of regenerative tourism in Hawaiʻi and with Indigenous peoples around the world.”
Central to the ceremony are the offerings each department prepares: hoʻokupu (physical offerings wrapped in ti leaves), oli (chant), and pule (intentions or prayers). These elements express gratitude and set intentions for guidance, growth, and protection. The process begins with gathering and preparing ti leaves, which are used to wrap symbolic items chosen to reflect each department’s goals—kō (sugarcane) for successful outcomes, kalo (taro) for ancestry and generational growth, and ʻulu (breadfruit), the physical manifestation of the god Kū, symbolizing growth through sacrifice. (Read the lyrics of Hele Kanaloa)
On the day of the ceremony, staff boarded the Ocean Guardian with their offerings, setting intentions for the year ahead as the first humpback whales return to Maui’s waters. As each hoʻokupu was given to the sea, a large pod of spinner dolphins arrived and surrounded the vessel, an uplifting moment felt as a sign of affirmation.
Together, these practices shape a ceremony that is both communal and deeply personal, carrying profound cultural significance and individual meaning. As Pacific Whale Foundation continues to rise from unexpected challenges, alongside the resilience shown across the Maui community, this gathering becomes a moment to reaffirm hope, gratitude, and belief in a brighter future.
Executive Director Dayna Garland offered a reminder that no matter how difficult the road ahead may be, we must never lose faith in our mission or in the people who carry it forward. She reflected on the determination of our late Founder, Greg Kaufman, and the small group of passionate advocates who stood firm during the Save the Whales movement of the late 1970s and 1980s. Against an enormous global commercial whaling industry, they refused to give up. Their perseverance not only helped protect humpback whales from the brink of extinction but also laid the foundation for the work we continue today.
The Kanaloa Ceremony practices cultural alignment and respect for the ocean as we prepare for the whales to return to Maui. Through shared chants, offerings, and intentions, staff enter the season unified in purpose and gratitude, trusting that Kanaloa will guide the mission and the work ahead.
