Voyaging members of double-hulled sailing canoe Mo’okiha reunited Friday at their canoe house for the first time since the 2023 wildfire, celebrating their return and sharing their Hawaiian culture. Photo courtesy Matt Yamashita

Supporters of the Lahaina voyaging canoe Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani organized a community gathering at their canoe house at Kamehameha Iki Park, sharing and celebrating Hawaiian culture and their return to their home grounds for the first time since the 2023 wildfire.

“It felt amazing being able to open up the space for the community again,” said Ihilani Garcia, an organizer of the Hui O Wa’a Kaulua, the group that takes care of the Mo’okiha. “May we continue to host community gatherings and bring back some normalcy after the fires.”

Garcia said that with support also from the Maui County Department of ‘Oiwi Services, about 30 people attended the ceremony Friday afternoon, including youths who had an opportunity to ride on a small sailing canoe.

“That day was incredibly emotional,” said Eric Gilliom, brother of Timi Gilliom, the captain of the group’s double-hulled sailing canoe Mo’okiha.

“Timi took several groups out for a quick spin on the small sailing canoe,” Eric said.

Mo’okiha navigator Kala Baybayan delivered an oral history speech about the sacredness of the nearby Moku’ula island.

The island within the pond was home to the Kamehameha I, and the pond was home to the legendary mo’o lizard goddess Kihawahine.

The 62-foot-long sailing canoe Mo’okiha is named after the mo’o.

Gilliom said the group cleared debris, chanted and later he played music with his cousin, entertainer John Cruz.

Garcia led the gathering in star-gazing.