The Polynesian Voyaging Society Inducts Six New Hawaiʻi Pwo Navigators
Our take
The recent induction of six new Pwo Navigators into the Weriyaeng School of Navigation is more than just a ceremonial event; it’s a powerful reaffirmation of Hawaiian cultural heritage and a vital step in preserving an ancient way of life. To understand the magnitude of this accomplishment, it’s important to appreciate the profound connection Hawaiians have with the ocean and the remarkable skill required to navigate vast distances using only the stars, currents, and wave patterns. This tradition, once nearly lost, is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by organizations like the Polynesian Voyaging Society and a renewed commitment within the Hawaiian community to reclaim and revitalize their ancestral knowledge. It's a journey deeply intertwined with understanding and celebrating Hawaiian history, a concept we explored further in [Celebrating Hawaiian History Month This September]. The dedication required to master these skills speaks volumes about the resilience and ingenuity of the Hawaiian people.
The significance of this particular induction is amplified by several factors. Firstly, the ceremony itself, conducted by Pwo Navigators from Satawal, Micronesia, underscores the shared Polynesian heritage and the interconnectedness of island cultures across the Pacific. Secondly, and perhaps most notably, four of the six newly inducted navigators are women – a historic milestone for Hawaiʻi. This shift challenges traditional roles and paves the way for a more inclusive and representative future for Polynesian navigation. The fact that this is happening alongside the growing appreciation for local culinary traditions, like the popular Japanese-style egg salad sandwiches found at 7-Eleven Hawaiʻi [Popular Japanese-Style Egg Salad Sandwiches Are at 7-Eleven Hawaiʻi], highlights the broader cultural revitalization occurring across the islands. It's a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation and adaptation within Hawaiian culture, demonstrating how ancient practices can coexist and thrive alongside modern influences.
The Pwo title represents the pinnacle of achievement within the Weriyaeng School, signifying not only mastery of navigational techniques but also a deep understanding of the ocean’s rhythms, weather patterns, and the spiritual connection between the navigator and the sea. These individuals are not simply charting courses; they are custodians of a profound cultural legacy, responsible for transmitting this knowledge to future generations. The Polynesian Voyaging Society's commitment to this mission is critical, providing the training and resources necessary to keep this tradition alive. Furthermore, the ongoing exploration and appreciation of the islands’ diverse landscapes, such as the seven reasons to love Kīlauea, Kauaʻi [7 Reasons to Love Kīlauea, Kauaʻi], contributes to a deeper understanding and respect for the natural environment that underpins this ancient art. The dedication to sustainable practices and cultural preservation is interwoven, recognizing that the health of the ocean is inextricably linked to the health of the Hawaiian culture.
Looking ahead, the emergence of these new Pwo Navigators signals a bright future for Polynesian navigation in Hawaiʻi. Their expertise will be invaluable in guiding future voyages, educating younger generations, and fostering a deeper connection between the Hawaiian people and the ocean that has shaped their identity for centuries. The question now is: how can Hanalei Bay Country Club, and other businesses and organizations, actively support and amplify the voices of these navigators and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, ensuring that this invaluable cultural heritage continues to thrive for generations to come? It’s a responsibility we embrace, recognizing that the spirit of adventure and discovery is deeply rooted in honoring the traditions of those who came before us.
The Polynesian Voyaging Society recently inducted six Hawaiʻi captains and navigators as Pwo Navigators. The title is among the highest honors bestowed within the Weriyaeng School of Navigation.
A sacred Pwo induction ceremony was held in Niu Valley on Oʻahu on July 30, 2026. The ceremony was conducted by Pwo Navigators from Satawal, Micronesia on behalf of the Weriyaeng School of Navigation. Among the six new Pwo, five are Native Hawaiian and four are the first women in Hawaiʻi to earn this sacred title and responsibility.
The six new Hawaiʻi Pwo are Pōmai Bertelmann, Archie Kalepa, Kaʻiulani Murphy, Shantell De Silva, Russell Amimoto and Lehua Kamalu.
Photo: Courtesy of the Polynesian Voyaging Society/Kaimana Pinē
Founded in 1973, the Polynesian Voyaging Society was established to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through educational programs. The organization’s programs inspire students and their communities to understand their kuleana of caring for and protecting their cultural traditions and natural surroundings.
The Polynesian Voyaging Society is best known for the Hōkūleʻa, a double-hulled Polynesian voyaging canoe. When the vessel was first built and launched in the 1970s, it sparked a cultural renewal in Hawaiʻi and throughout Polynesia. On its maiden voyage in 1976, Master Navigator Mau Piailug, known as Mau, successfully guided the vessel from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti using traditional wayfinding practices, including reading the stars, winds, waves, currents, clouds and other natural signs.
Pwo is among the highest honors within Satawal’s Weriyaeng School of Navigation. It recognizes not only exceptional navigational skills, but also represents a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, teaching and stewardship. Those selected have demonstrated years of dedication to traditional navigation, voyaging, mentoring others and serving their communities.
This rite of passage honors the training lineage of Mau, the late master navigator, whose teachings helped revive navigation in Hawaiʻi and throughout Polynesia. Mau inducted Hawaiʻi’s first Pwo Navigators on Satawal in 2007. According to Mau, the core values of a Pwo navigator are light, love, kindness and compassion.
“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,” said Nainoa Thompson, Pwo Navigator and CEO of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, in a news release. “It’s also keeping our promise to Mau and our teachers, with the blessing of the School of Weriyaeng, that navigation will never go dormant again.”
Photo: Courtesy of the Polynesian Society/Kaimana Pinē
Mau is one of the most important figures in the modern revival of traditional Pacific voyaging. He was not only the first navigator of Hōkūleʻa, but also ensured that the ancient practice of open-ocean wayfinding would survive by training navigators outside of Micronesia, first in Hawaiʻi and then throughout Polynesia. At the time, traditional navigation had been dormant in Hawaiʻi for more than 600 years.
In 2007, Mau initiated the first generation of Hawaiian navigators in Satawal. The first class of Pwo inductees included Nainoa Thompson, Milton “Shorty” Bertelmann, Chad Kalepa Baybayan, Bruce Blankenfeld and Chad ʻŌnohi Paishon. Since then, Hawaiʻi’s Pwo navigators have gone on to train navigators throughout Oceania.
This recent Pwo ceremony was the first time the ritual was conducted in Hawaiʻi. Satawalese Pwo Navigators Isidore Metewalur, Robert Erailug and Thomas Raffipiy, who represent the family lineage of Mau and Weriyaeng School of Navigation, officiated the event.
The word Pwo signifies a new beginning to a lifetime of enlightened leadership and the passing of sacred knowledge. The title carries profound responsibility to serve, perpetuate voyaging traditions and guide future generations, strengthen communities and ensure this ancestral knowledge remains alive for future generations.
For more information about the Polynesian Voyaging Society, visit hokulea.org.
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