Our Oceans of Islands

Aloha kākou! If you are heading to Aotearoa (New Zealand) between Aug. 14, 2026, and March 2028, visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum|Hui Te Ananui A Tangaroa to experience the Our Oceans of Islands exhibit. Co- curated by Lagi-Maama Academy & Consultancy, the exhibition explores the Indigenous languages, knowledge systems, and maritime practices of 24 Moana Nui (Oceania) nations, including Hawaiʻi.

Lagi-Maama Academy & Consultancy is an education and cultural organization that advocates for projects driven by Moana Nui communities in Aotearoa for Moana Nui communities. Dr. Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai of Lagi-Maama explains that this exhibit is “genuinely informed by 24 island nations.” Each contribution is narrated in the featured nation’s Indigenous language and English, something that has not likely happened previously in Aotearoa.

An invitation arrived in Hawaiʻi in April 2025, requesting an Indigenous Hawaiian lens to add to a collective working concept equivalent to the Samoan and Tongan examples of ʻfanua’ and ʻfonua’ that speaks to the inseparability of environment focusing on maritime connections of the Moana Nui peoples. My first thought was, “Hawaiians would say Honua.”

While most would think of celestial navigation and open ocean voyaging as an easy cross ocean connection, the Makahiki ceremony came to mind. To my knowledge, it is the only ceremony that Hawaiians still collectively practice, waiting for the right honua (earth) and lani (sky) alignments that alert our communities to the arrival of Lono, sent to us from our Moana Nui cousins below the equator.

Then, when the Makahiki ceremonies are completed, a waʻakea canoe for Lono is carved, loaded with provisions, and sent back below the equator to navigate its own way to our Oceanic cousins. It is an excellent example of our conscious effort to symbolically remain connected to the rest of our Moana Nui ʻOhana.

The Hawaiian contribution highlights the concept of Honua (the inseparability of land, ocean, and environment) through the Makahiki ceremonies. Featured artifacts include, an Akua Loa: A travel-sized deity carved by Andre Perez and the Kūpaʻaikeʻe Society, guided by Master Carver Dr. Lyonel Grant. It is adorned with a black lei hulu (feather lei) made by artist JoAnna Kahoʻowahaokalani Maine.

An ʻumeke in kōkō, a wooden calabash held in a Nāhuihui knotted net, is suspended next to the akua loa representing the Makaliʻi star constellations. They were crafted by Master Kā Kōkō Kealiʻi Reichel and Kapua Kaʻauʻa. To each of these artisans my undying gratitude for their contributions.

My thanks to Jaqui Knowles, Emily Nicholson and staff of the New Zealand Maritime Museum, Toluma’anave Barbara Makuati-Afitu, Dr. Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai, and Meleseini Tuai of Lagi-Maama Academy & Consultancy for inviting Hawaiʻi as one of the participating nations and for being such gracious hosts.

Our Oceans of Islands invites visitors to experience the diverse Indigenous perspectives and languages that continue to shape communities across the Moana Nui today. Go check it out Gang!