What It Is
BYU–Hawaii’s magnificent 57-foot, double-hulled canoe, Iosepa, will soon be housed in a Hawaiian Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center. At the PCC the canoe will continue to be an impressive symbol of Polynesia’s voyaging heritage, a vibrant link with the Hawaiian and Polynesian communities, and (for six weeks a year) a sailing classroom for BYU–Hawaii students. The vessel is the heart of BYU–Hawaii’s respected Jonathan Napela Center for Hawaiian Language and Cultural Studies Center and will continue to be so at the PCC.

Iosepa is a truly stunning nautical masterpiece crafted by Polynesian artisans using Fijian dakua logs. On its maiden voyage in the summer of 2004, Iosepa affirmed its place among authentic voyaging canoes. Even seasoned, long-distance sailors of other voyaging canoes love it as their favorite. Indeed, it captures the hearts and imaginations of everyone who encounters it.

“Housing the Iosepa canoe in the Hawaiian Village is a natural match,” says President Von D. Orgill of the PCC. “The canoe honors the peoples and cultures of Polynesia and assists in the education of students—and that is the mission of the PCC.” Orgill believes the remodeled village will be a draw for community members and tourists.

The construction of the canoe and the expansion of the village were made possible by generous corporate and individual donors, and so, to fund in perpetuity the maintenance of Iosepa’s new home, BYU–Hawaii and the PCC are seeking to raise $2.7 million.

Why It Is a Priority
Once the expansion is complete, maintenance of the remodeled village and the magnificent canoe will be an ongoing obligation for the center.

The PCC is a not-for-profit business that must live within its means while meeting all of its operating obligations and fulfilling its mission of supporting students. Because every dollar required for maintenance is a dollar that the PCC cannot use to directly support students, a permanent endowment that produces earnings sufficient to maintain the expanded village is a timely need.

What It Does and How It Helps
With a maintenance endowment for the facility and canoe in place, the PCC will be able to meet its obligations and directly assist more students who otherwise would not be able to afford a university education.

Around one million visitors from around the world come to the PCC each year to experience Polynesia. Guests are often moved by the cultural experience and their interaction with students. One recent guest wrote:

“The humility of these young men and women carried a very powerful message. … (They) were warm, friendly, sincere, and most humble. They were courteous and polite. They were clean, neat, and sparkly in their appearance. . . . I saw team building, I saw cooperation. . . . I sensed sincerity, devotion, and loyalty, not only to their church, but to valuable standards the church has set, such as integrity, honesty, hard work, and commitment. . . . I can’t tell you how this experience changed my life. What hope you extend to all of us.”

The addition of Iosepa and the remodel of the Hawaiian Village will be a valuable addition to the cultural experience of the PCC’s guests, and the canoe will continue to be an important tool of learning for BYU–Hawaii students. Iosepa’s preservation and display at the PCC is not only a value-added attraction for the center, but also a sacred responsibility for BYU–Hawaii, the PCC, and those who support these institutions.