Lā 4: Pōʻalua, Pepeluali 28 Tahiti to Rapa Nui
Naʻauao
na Hiʻilani and Danson
na Hiʻilani and Danson
Welina e nā hoa makamaka, ʻo ia hoʻi nā ʻohana e heluhelu ana i nei moʻomanaʻo o mākou ka ʻohana Nāhiku 2017. Eia māua ʻo Hiʻilani lāua ʻo Danson e ʻauamo nei i ke kuleana nui no ka lā ʻehā o ka huakaʻi. Puni ʻo Tahiti, pau ka holoholo kipa, e lele pū mai i Te Pito O Te Henua, ʻo ia hoʻi ʻo Rapa Nui. E nanea mai i ka heluhelu. ʻO ka naʻauao nō kahi mea e ʻupu aʻe nei i kō māua naʻau aloha no nā mea a pau i aʻo ʻia ma o ka ʻike kino ʻoe a me ka ʻike kuʻuna ‘oe.
It was time to say Iaorana to beautiful Tahiti and embark on our journey to Rapa Nui. Our transition day can be described as “’imi na’auao” due to the ‘ike that we learned about the island of Rapa Nui that many of us were about to experience for the very first time. We had an early start with our flight that departed Fa’a’a International Airport at 2:30 a.m., and with this came a special treat: While waiting in the check-in line for about an hour or so, we enjoyed amazing stories shared by Mr. Sergio Rapu Haoa, former governor of Rapa Nui who was also on our flight. Mr. Rapu Haoa had some magnificent insights to share with our group on his family, career and life experiences . Sergio Rapu Haoa first remembered his mentor, William Mulloy, who had made a life-changing impact on his life. Dr. Mulloy was a famous archaeologist who encouraged Mr. Rapu Haoa to pursue education in the field of Archaeology. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, he yearned to return home to Rapa Nui. However, Dr. Mulloy convinced him to continue with his education and get his master’s degree before returning back home. Eventually, Mr. Rapu Haoa obtained his masterʻs degree in Archaeology, after which a new opportunity arose. The president of The Polynesion Cultural Center (PCC) introduced him to a “Rapa Nui” exhibit at the La’ie center. The president wanted ʻAnakala Sergio to help with the exhibit, and he eagerly accepted the invitation. He shared with us that when he lived in Hawaii with his wife and children, he discovered how closely connected the two places are.
After ʻAnakala Sergio’s stories were shared, we proceeded on osharer journey to Rapa Nui. It was a six-hour flight that afforded us lots of sleep. Our arrival in Rapa Nui was breathtaking because we got to see first-hand the homeland of the Rapa Nui people. Our first quest was buying case s of bottled water to keep us hydrated. We visited a small store and bought out their entire stock! After checking into the hotel, we rested for a while and then went to dinner. Our restaurant was amazing in terms of its food and Polynesian entertainment. We got to see the islandʻs best dance group in rehearsal and they were very talented and energetic. Following the delicious food and sneak preview of their show that we would see the following night, we had a good night’s rest. Our minds were filled with many new experiences.
After our first day there, we were filled with ʻike hou of our brother-island, Rapa Nui. The concept of Naʻauao can describe our lā mua perfectly, and our brief time spent with ʻAnakala Sergio Rapu had a big impact on how we now view the island of Rapa Nui.
Me ia mau manaʻo, he wahi keu a ka waiwai ʻo Rapa Nui a he pōmaikaʻi ka hiki ke noho ma kēia wahi kamahaʻo no mākou. He hōʻoia kēia no ka naʻauao o ka ʻike kupuna i ʻimi noiʻi ai mākou a he ʻoiaʻiʻo nō, a e ola mau ana ʻia ʻike kūpuna ma nei mau iwi. He noi kēia no ka palekana o kākou, ka ʻohana Nāhiku, ka ʻohana Hōkūleʻa, a me ʻoukou nā mea heluhelu. E kipa hou mai i ka lā apopo no nā moʻolelo hou aku no kō mākou mau hanana ma Te Pito o Te Henua!
It was time to say Iaorana to beautiful Tahiti and embark on our journey to Rapa Nui. Our transition day can be described as “’imi na’auao” due to the ‘ike that we learned about the island of Rapa Nui that many of us were about to experience for the very first time. We had an early start with our flight that departed Fa’a’a International Airport at 2:30 a.m., and with this came a special treat: While waiting in the check-in line for about an hour or so, we enjoyed amazing stories shared by Mr. Sergio Rapu Haoa, former governor of Rapa Nui who was also on our flight. Mr. Rapu Haoa had some magnificent insights to share with our group on his family, career and life experiences . Sergio Rapu Haoa first remembered his mentor, William Mulloy, who had made a life-changing impact on his life. Dr. Mulloy was a famous archaeologist who encouraged Mr. Rapu Haoa to pursue education in the field of Archaeology. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, he yearned to return home to Rapa Nui. However, Dr. Mulloy convinced him to continue with his education and get his master’s degree before returning back home. Eventually, Mr. Rapu Haoa obtained his masterʻs degree in Archaeology, after which a new opportunity arose. The president of The Polynesion Cultural Center (PCC) introduced him to a “Rapa Nui” exhibit at the La’ie center. The president wanted ʻAnakala Sergio to help with the exhibit, and he eagerly accepted the invitation. He shared with us that when he lived in Hawaii with his wife and children, he discovered how closely connected the two places are.
After ʻAnakala Sergio’s stories were shared, we proceeded on osharer journey to Rapa Nui. It was a six-hour flight that afforded us lots of sleep. Our arrival in Rapa Nui was breathtaking because we got to see first-hand the homeland of the Rapa Nui people. Our first quest was buying case s of bottled water to keep us hydrated. We visited a small store and bought out their entire stock! After checking into the hotel, we rested for a while and then went to dinner. Our restaurant was amazing in terms of its food and Polynesian entertainment. We got to see the islandʻs best dance group in rehearsal and they were very talented and energetic. Following the delicious food and sneak preview of their show that we would see the following night, we had a good night’s rest. Our minds were filled with many new experiences.
After our first day there, we were filled with ʻike hou of our brother-island, Rapa Nui. The concept of Naʻauao can describe our lā mua perfectly, and our brief time spent with ʻAnakala Sergio Rapu had a big impact on how we now view the island of Rapa Nui.
Me ia mau manaʻo, he wahi keu a ka waiwai ʻo Rapa Nui a he pōmaikaʻi ka hiki ke noho ma kēia wahi kamahaʻo no mākou. He hōʻoia kēia no ka naʻauao o ka ʻike kupuna i ʻimi noiʻi ai mākou a he ʻoiaʻiʻo nō, a e ola mau ana ʻia ʻike kūpuna ma nei mau iwi. He noi kēia no ka palekana o kākou, ka ʻohana Nāhiku, ka ʻohana Hōkūleʻa, a me ʻoukou nā mea heluhelu. E kipa hou mai i ka lā apopo no nā moʻolelo hou aku no kō mākou mau hanana ma Te Pito o Te Henua!
Arrival in Rapanui waiting for customs.