New Canoe Hale opens at Outrigger Reef

OAHU, HONOLULU, HAWAII – The Outrigger Reef on the Beach has opened a new museum quality exhibit that highlights the Hawaiian traditions of canoe building and voyaging. The “Canoe Hale,” located in the hotel lobby just past the front desk and open daily free to the public, is a collaborative effort of the Outrigger Reef and The Friends of Hōkūle‘a and Hawai`iloa, Mission Houses Museum, and Bishop Museum.

“The Outrigger Reef is committed to expanding the public’s understanding of Hawaiian traditions, so we are thrilled to have this exquisite display on Hawaii’s voyaging history through the art of canoe building for our guests, visitors and local residents to enjoy,” said Bill Comstock, general manager of the Outrigger Reef on the Beach.

The exhibit includes the actual steering paddle from the voyaging canoe Hawai`iloa, as well as a replica of the Hawai`iloa crafted by master woodworker Wright Bowman, Sr. “Outrigger was a proud sponsor of the 1995 Hawai`iloa voyage to the Marquesas, so we are particularly proud to have the steering paddle and replica of Hawai`iloa on display,” Comstock said.

Also featured is the Kaiolahia, a traditional racing canoe (circa 1915) that was painstakingly restored by master canoe artisan Tay Perry. Also on display are an adze or koi stone cutting ax, a canoe cross section with lashing, mother of pearl traditional fishing lures and aconch shell from the Cook Islands. A favorite piece in the exhibit is the lei hulu (feather lei), which is hung high atop the boom of the canoe’s crab-claw sail when it is underway.

During a blessing held to mark the opening of the exhibit, Billy Richards, President of The Friends of Hōkūle‘a and Hawai‘iloa, remarked, “We are excited to participate in an exhibit that brings a small, but important, part of Hawaiian culture to visitors and kamaaina alike. The exhibit is also testimony to the Outrigger Reef’s commitment to honoring the Polynesian navigators and voyagers that found these islands, utilizing stars and constellations that the hotel saw fit to name their best suites after.”

Richards went on to say, “Like most travelers, our visitors bring with them their own perceptions of Hawai‘i. Most only know us from travel books, or productions like Lost. It is up to the visitor industry and those willing to share, that allow them opportunities to expand their awareness of our islands, its history, its people, and its cultures.”

The Canoe Hale joins a myriad of other cultural displays, exhibits and programming at the Outrigger Reef that honor Hawaii’s voyaging history. The Outrigger Reef’s “O Ke Kai” series is held several times during the year when representatives from The Friends of Hōkūle‘a and Hawai`iloa share Hawaii’s canoe-building legacy and restoration work on traditional Hawaiian canoes at free presentations. Two more programs are scheduled this year – June 12 and September 12, 2010, from 9 am to 12 noon.

A prominent feature of the property is the hotel entrance, which is designed in the shape of a Polynesian canoe house built of richly-colored woods with traditional patterns. Suspended from the towering ceiling is Hoaloha, a carefully restored koa wood canoe originally crafted more than a century ago, now a welcoming beacon to guests and visitors as they arrive at the hotel.

Another dramatic display is hung behind the lobby’s new sit-down check-in desk: 18 stunning images created by internationally-noted historian and artist Herb Kawainui Kane. The collection pays homage to the incredible history of ocean voyaging, and depicts a variety of canoes from various Pacific Basin locations including the Caroline Islands, Cook Islands, Islands of Kiribati, Tahiti, Marshall Islands, Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.

Elsewhere on the property in guest suites and public areas are some 80 wooden canoe paddles and other displays of fine island craftsmanship.

Outrigger’s devotion to its island culture has earned it widespread respect and recognition. In 2008, the artifacts and displays at the Outrigger Reef were honored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s prestigious Keep It Hawaii award program.

For more information about the hotel or for reservations, call toll free 800-OUTRIGGER (688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 (long distance charges apply). Or, visit or e-mail [email protected].

About The Friends of Hōkūle‘a and Hawai`iloa

The Friends is a non-profit organization dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaiian canoe building traditions and values through the preservation and development of canoe building resources. By building, maintaining, and restoring canoes, the Friends hope to improve understanding and appreciation for this unique Hawaiian heritage, not only for Hawaiians, but for any person interested in learning. For more information, visit .

About Outrigger Reef on the Beach

The oceanfront anchor of the new Waikiki Beach Walk®, the Outrigger Reef on the Beach is ideally situated between beautiful Waikiki Beach and exciting Waikiki. The hotel recently completed a stunning $110 million makeover that has transformed this popular resort into Oahu’s newest haven of elegance, gracious hospitality and unparalleled commitment to Hawaiian culture. The property encompasses two towers with enlarged guest rooms and superbly appointed suites, beachfront restaurants, the Kani Ka Pila Grille, new shops and an array of services. The adjacent Waikiki Beach Walk® is Oahu’s spirited and stylish entertainment destination, home to shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and accommodations spanning a nearly eight-acre area in Waikiki. Military personnel can contact Outrigger for reservations toll-free at 1-800-279-0126. All others can contact your preferred travel agent or call toll free 1-800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 (long distance charges apply) or visit or e-mail [email protected].

About Outrigger Enterprises Group

Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging and hospitality companies in the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions and continues to expand its presence throughout the area. A family-owned company with more than 60 years of hospitality experience, Outrigger runs a highly-successful, multi-branded line of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger® Hotels & Resorts, OHANA® Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Condominium Collection®, Embassy Suites®, Courtyard® by Marriott, Best Western® and Wyndham Vacation Ownership®. Currently, Outrigger operates and/or has under development nearly 50 properties with close to 12,000 rooms located in Hawaii, Australia, Guam, Fiji, Palau, Bali and Phuket, Thailand. Outrigger Enterprises Group also operates and develops hotel properties and hospitality-related retail and real estate opportunities for partners in Hawaii, the Pacific, the mainland USA and Asia. For on-line information, log on at and .

Nancy Daniels, APR
Director of PR
808-921-6839
Outrigger