Kālepa Baybayan, navigator in residence at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi, will be the featured presenter at the Maunakea Speaker Series on November 30, 7 p.m. at the University of Hilo Wentworth Hall #1 auditorium. Baybayan will share his knowledge of deep-sea voyaging and oceanic wayfinding, the indigenous system of orientation and navigation at sea.
Baybayan will also discuss the recently completed Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage and the epic journey of the iconic double-hulled sailing canoe, Hōkūleʻa, which traveled 42,000 nautical miles over 3 years, visiting 150 ports in more than 20 countries, while training a new generation of navigators, educators, scientists and community stewards.
Born and raised in Lahaina, Maui, Baybayan first sailed on Hōkūleʻa in 1975 and has sailed on all major Hōkūleʻa voyages since. Kālepa has served as captain on Hōkūleʻa as well as the voyaging canoes Hawaiʻiloa and Hōkūalakaʻi. He was the site director of Honuakai, the Exploration Sciences Division of the ʻAha Punana Leo Inc. He currently serves as the navigator in residence at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center developing wayfinding activities, curriculum materials and conducting outreach.
In 2007, Kalepa was initiated into the order of Pwo, a society of deep-sea navigators in Micronesia, along with four other Hōkūleʻa navigators by their teacher Mau Piailug on the island of Satawal.
The Maunakea Speaker Series is free and open to the public. On-campus parking is open and available without charge after 4 p.m.
For more information, visit the speaker series website or call (808) 933-0734.
