Malia

Malia is a Hawaiian canoe preserved in Honolulu County that displays the traditional features of ocean-going vessels from this region. The wooden construction and design reflect the maritime knowledge that Hawaiians developed for sea travel.

The canoe dates from an era when Hawaiians regularly undertook long sea voyages using advanced navigation techniques. Its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places reflects its importance as a record of Hawaiian maritime traditions.

The canoe embodies Hawaiian seafaring craftsmanship and demonstrates the knowledge required for ocean voyages across vast distances. You can see how early Hawaiians designed and used their vessel for long journeys.

Visitors can examine the canoe's construction and design directly while learning about traditional navigation methods through educational sessions. It is best to allow adequate time to study the craftsmanship details carefully.

The canoe is among the few preserved examples showing how Hawaiians navigated their vessels without modern instruments while traveling thousands of miles across open water. This skill developed without compass or charts and relied on observing stars, waves, and birds.