The traditional hālau wa’a was a longhouse, a covered structure near the shoreline dedicated to all matters related to canoes, and whose linear measure could provide ample shelter for vessels of sizeable length.
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Little Max and the Big Wa`a
Come set sail with Little Max on a Hawaiian waʻa (canoe) adventure! Guided by the wise and friendly Captain Hōkū, Max learns all about the different parts of the waʻa and discovers what it takes to prepare for a real ocean voyage.
Mahalo to: Anna Criado, Derick Fabian, Kaiwi Hāmākua-Mākuʻe, Raleigh Kornmeyer, Edmond Mak in producing this video. Special mahalo to the Omo Ohana – Chelsie, Koltrane, and Calie for their outstanding voice work on this project.
Little Max and the Big Wa`a – Learning Activities
Lesson Guide / PreK, Grades K-5
Centered around the story Little Max and the Big Waʻa, this lesson guide invites young learners to explore the parts of a waʻa through engaging, play-based activities. The guide is organized into five mahele (sections), which kumu can adapt to fit their own classroom rhythm.
Supplemental Resources / PreK, Grades K-5
As a companion to the Lesson Guide, this document contains most of the digital materials referenced within each mahele–from journal pages, to worksheets, to manipulatives.
Video / Grades K-5 / ʻŌlelo
Come set sail with Little Max on a Hawaiian waʻa (canoe) adventure! Guided by the wise and friendly Captain Hōkū, Max learns all about the different parts of the waʻa and discovers what it takes to prepare for a real ocean voyage.
