Hawai`i Space Exploration Society  

Goals

 

 

Huaka`i Hele ma Mahina – Journey to the Moon

HISES – Continuing the Voyage

text by Leilehua Yuen

     Hawaiians are a voyaging people. We sailed from Southern Polynesia to the north, and explored the islands of the Pacific Basin. In the past century, we completed the voyage and, on Hokule`a, returned home. It is now time to make the next voyages of exploration.  

     The nearest island in space is Mahina, the Moon. Just as the first heiau erected in our islands were astronomical in nature, the first structures built on Mahina should be astronomical. From there we can continue our tradition of examining the stars, seeking knowledge and wisdom.

      And from that island, we can continue on to other islands in our own archipelago in space, and then on to yet other archipelagos – other solar systems with their own island worlds.

      HISES can help kokua and malama the future of Hawaiian and Polynesian voyaging through the following activities:

1) Provide Hawai`i Island support for a Hawaiian component in the International Lunar Observatory 

2)  Develop relationships with Space media, such as Space Age Publishing Company 

3) Develop HISES Projects

            * Investigate Hawai`i space access via new environmentally benign technologies –
               space elevator / tethers from Mid-Pacific  / electro-magnetism

            * Develop the Kalākaua Project

            * Develop Lunar Exploration activities using island landscapes as lunar analogs

            * Develop educational materials and programs to entice Hawai`i’s youth into space-related professions,
               while retaining their island heritage.

            * Re-establish our excellent working relationship with the Onizuka Museum.

            * Continue giving programs at the Mauna Kea Visitor Center

            * Establish a working relationship with `Imiloa

            * Establish a working relationship with the UH-H astronomy division

            * Host one meeting per month of Space/Hawaiian topics such as:

                        * Hawaiian voyaging and exploration heritage

                        * What is the place of traditional culture and arts in space exploration?

                        * Maintaining cultural roots in times of change

                        * Maoli and Hawaiians in Science and Space