The Hawaiian People gave names to everything. They believe that there is a great spiritual power in a name. The name (Inoa) for the canoe's (Na Wa`a) to which they entrusted their lives were especially important. The Wa`a Inoa was given much thought. Just as when you name your children you give care and love to the name you select. That person or thing must live up to the expectations that you have instilled into the giving of its name. Not using the given name is a sign of disrespect and lessens its power or Mana. Please respect our canoes by learning the meanings and using their names, rather than calling them by color or number.  

#71 - Ke Koa O Nā  Wai `Ekolu - Translated as "The Warrior of the Three Rivers". This is a Cal-Mar canoe made in Vancouver, B.C., and is red/white in color.

          Ke              Ke means "the"

          Koa            Koa means brave, bold, and fearless. It also means warrior.

Koa is also the name of the tree that the Hawaiian people use to build their canoes. This tree grows from one central tree and as it reproduces the younger trees grow around the Kumu (parent tree) until we have a forest of Koa. The Hawaiian People believe that when you take the Koa from its forest home and form it into a canoe then when the canoe's gather again in the ocean the Koa Forest is reborn.

          O                O means of

          Nā              Nā  means more than one of whatever you are talking about.

Wai             Wai means liquid of any kind other than seawater. Because the water that we use to paddle the Wa`a here in the Tri-Cities area is fresh water the word Wai was used instead of Kai which means salt water.

`Ekolu        `Ekolu means three. In this case the word `Ekolu stands for the three rivers that surround our Tri-City area: the Columbia, Yakima and Snake rivers.

#72 - Ikaika O Nā  Wai `Ekolu - Translated as "Strength of the Three Rivers". She is also a Cal-Mar canoe, and is aqua/white in color.

Ikaika        Ikaika means strength, both physical and spiritual. In order to paddle you the paddler must be strong and dedicated in spirit (Mana) as well as being physically fit.

#73 - `Uhane O Nā  Wai `Ekolu - Our first Bradley Racer, made by Calvin Hirhara in California. She is viper red and white in color.

`Uhane        `Uhane means spirit. In order to paddle you the paddler must be dedicated in spirit.

Canoe Terminology

The following is a small list of canoe terms that you should also learn as these will be used when rigging the canoes.

Wa`a - canoe

Hoe - paddle  

Ama – the flotation device on the side of the canoe

`Iako – the hau logs used to hold the ama from the canoe  

Manu – ends of the canoe