Alapi’i Homecoming a Joyous Celebration of Culture, Tradition & Community Spirit
BY VICKY AKANA – On August 25, 2024, the historic Alapi’i made a triumphant return to Keauhou Bay. Nani Kupihe (pictured), OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa’s Director of Cultural Experiences and Hunter Larson, Cultural Advisor, welcomed Alapi’i with a heartfelt blessing. This momentous occasion coincided with the 3rd Anniversary of OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, making the event even more significant for the resort and community.
Alapi’i holds a special place in the hearts of Keauhou’s residents as it once belonged to the fishing village’s ancestors who relied on it for sustenance, primarily fishing for opelu to feed their families. The Waʻaʻs homecoming symbolizes the enduring connection between the people of Keauhou, their culture and the sea.
The blessing, steeped in Hawaiian tradition, was an opportunity to honor the Waʻaʻs purpose, protect it in the future and strengthen the bond between generations through the cultural richness and heritage offered in the Keauhou Bay setting.
Alapiʻi will be displayed in OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa’s Porte Cochere, allowing guests and visitors to appreciate her beauty and learn about her significance in Hawaiian history.
The event marked a joyous celebration of culture, tradition and community spirit as Keauhou Bay – birthplace of King Kamehameha III – continues to preserve and honor the legacy of its vibrant past.
