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Ka`iulani Murphy
By Kimberly Lehano
Computers. Digital and Satellite Navigational Systems. Ready-before-you-are even-finished-paying-fast-food. The more and more things in this world move in fast-forward, the more our lives seems rushed and less focused. There are a few, however, who cherish the serenity of the past and simplicity of those who lived back then. One of them, is this month's cover story, Ka`iulani Murphy, one of the youngest and most promising navigators to come out of Hawaii, possibly, since Nainoa Thompson.
Of Hawaiian, Irish, Chinese, Portuguese and Scottish descent, Murphy was born and raised in Waimea, on the Big Island of Hawai`i, where she spent weekends and a lot of her free time in Waipi`o Valley. She was surrounded by a deep Hawaiian upbringing, as both her kupuna kane (grandfather) as well as parents, nurtured and tended to the lo`i (taro patches). Some of her most vivid childhood memories take her back to those early days in Waimea. “We had a lot of fun when we were young, we danced hula, paddled (canoe), played sports, rode horse(s), hiked, camped … I loved being a kid and growing up in Waimea,” reminisced Murphy.
How did this navigator get her start? Just what did she remember of her experience(s) regarding the Hokule`a and its navigating crew (at the time)? She recalls of a time back in elementary school where her class took a school field trip to visit the Hokule`a when she was on the Big Island.
“Crewmembers showed us around the canoe and I just thought she was beautiful,” remembers Murphy. However, the next time she saw the Hokule`a wasn't until her college days at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where her true love and passion for her Hawaiian culture and canoe voyaging and navigation, burst forth!
A 1996 graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Murphy studied at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa (UH Manoa), where she signed up for a voyaging course at the Kamakakuokalani (Center for Hawaiian Studies at UH Manoa). This class energized Murphy and to this day, admits, “I have no idea it would have taken me where it has.” Murphy went on to graduate from UH Manoa with a Bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies.
2006 marks the 30 th anniversary of Hokule`a's first voyage to Tahiti, and thanks to a Micronesian by the name of Mau Piailug, navigators such as Murphy have been able to sail to Tahiti using only their skills. Currently working for the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Murphy duties include taking care of the Hokule`a, as well as planning and carrying out educational voyages for those even younger than herself.
“I love what I do, being able to work with good people and doing good things,” said Murphy. One of her goals, is to “inspire children and adults, to learn, and to take care of our beautiful island home,” and she remembers past generations, and pointed out, “I hope to always honor our kupuna and our teachers by continuing their legacy.”
And what does it feel like, to be a part of all the action? To live, breathe, and feel what it is like, not only to live by and be guided by the moon and stars, but also to know that you are one of the youngest members aboard with a very experienced crew of canoe voyagers?
As she was learning from these more experienced voyagers, she was also teaching them, without realizing so.
“I love sailing with the older, or should I say ‘experienced,' crewmembers, those that have been on several voyages. I feel safe and comfortable with them, but it is a little strange to ask them to do something. I don't really feel like a leader, and what I keep learning is that I have so much more to learn,” said Murphy.
After her first voyage out at sea, things cleared up for Murphy in every way. She become better focused, her survival skills were sharpened and the instinctual lessons gained were priceless.
“…Living on the canoe is like living on an island. We take care of the canoe (island) and she takes care of us. For one month on a canoe you have all the food and water you need to survive. On an island, you have to make sure there will be food and water for us to survive forever. The people on the canoe are your family for that month at sea, and you take care of each other as well as yourself. It's all about malama [taking care],” Murphy states.
Certainly, for one who has accomplished so much she has very inspirational role models. She looks up to her older sister Nau'i as a role model, for inspiring her in her studies and transitioning into being away from home at school, at such a young age (dorming at Kamehameha Schools during her freshman year).
Also, of extreme importance in her inspirational circle is Nainoa Thompson. She is looking to Thompson as one of her most influential mentors, “He is a visionary, respectable leader, and inspiring teacher. He is a role model, from the first time I heard him give a presentation,” says Murphy. She also credits the other voyagers, who sailed on the first voyage to Tahiti in 1976. “I had the privilege to sail with several of them last year as we celebrated Hokule`a's 30 th anniversary,” gushes Murphy.
So is it all work, and no play for this youthful navigator? Not at all. Not far removed, from her workplace is the ocean where Murphy can be found, in her free time, whether swimming, surfing, kayaking, or canoe paddling, Murphy is usually found in Hawaii's beautiful waters. One of her favorite spots, is Kalaeoi`o, on the Windward side of the O`ahu. “The water feels good, its clean, and you can admire the beautiful Ko`olau mountains,” and she adds that another HUGE reason she loves to surf there is; “There's more than one break, not as many people as [in] town, its laid back, and just a fun wave [to ride],”
Murphy, in her free time, which is far and in between, has also taken an expressed interest in rebuilding and cultivating the lo`i back in her family's operations in Waipi`o, on the Big Island. “It's been a wonderful gathering place where we can work hard and rest easy,” she says.
So what, besides charting more inspirational journeys to lands far and near, does this ocean-bodied kama`aina have in store for her? The skies. Yes, as if mastering the ocean weren't enough, one of Murphy's goals is to one day receive her pilot's license. She began flight school almost two years ago, but put a halt to all flight plans when the statewide sail with the Hokule`a began. “I don't know yet what I want to be when I ‘grow up,' but I just want to give back to people that have helped me along the way, and help to take care of this place [Hawai`i],” says Murphy. Sounds to me, that this goal of her is already in the making!