NĀ HO'OKELE

honoring our navigators. guiding future generations.

NĀ Ho'okele

Nā Hoʻokele, meaning "The Many Navigators," is a community art and education project honoring the navigators of Waiʻanae past, present, and future.

Created by Native Hawaiian artist and lineal descendant Hanale Kila Hopfe, the basalt sculpture depicts a kumu holding a navigational chart, symbolizing the ʻike, leadership, and kuleana passed down through generations.

Located near the sacred grounds of Kūʻilioloa Heiau, Nā Hoʻokele reminds us of our responsibility to honor our kūpuna, mālama our wahi pana, and guide future generations forward.

Kū'īlioloa Heiau

A Sacred Place of Navigation and Guidance

Kūʻilioloa Heiau stands at Kāneʻīlio Point, overlooking the waters of Pōkaʻī Bay. This wahi pana holds deep cultural significance, connecting generations of our people to the land, ocean, and ancestral knowledge that guided those who traveled by land and sea.

Nā Hoʻokele honors this connection, reminding all who enter this space of our shared kuleana to respect and mālama this sacred place.

Kū'īlioloa is a kapua, a demigod who could assume the form of a man or dog. The name Kū'īlioloa translates to the long dog of Kū, it also incorporates the four primary gods Kū, the god of war. Kāne, the name point Kāne'īlio, and Lono's realm through the clouds and heavens for one of its significant functions of the heiau, navigation. Kū'īlioloa is also the only heiau in Hawai'i bordered on three sides of the ocean, which is Kanaloa's domain.

MEET THE ARTIST

Hanale

A native son of Hawai'i. Artist Hanale Kila Hopfe is a native son of Hawai‘i (Kānaka Maoli), born and raised in Wai‘anae, O‘ahu. Hopfe wore many hats along the Wai‘anae Coast. A lineal descendant of the area, he sat on many community councils and governing boards.

He has been a tireless advocate for improving conditions along the Wai‘anae Coast for Hawaiians and the environment. He is a self-taught multimedia artist specializing in stone works/carving, and restoration. His works of art are deeply rooted in his Hawaiian culture and reflect his deep commitment to and love of his heritage. He brings his culture into a creative mindset, carving legends and genealogy into his work.

the journey of Nā Ho'okele

Back in 2021 Kingdom Pathways director, Carmen Guzman-Simpliciano invited Mayor Blangiardi to our Wai'anae moku for a site visit so funding could be released for the repaving of Pōka'ī Bay and Kea'au Beach park, facility upgrades and repairs for Mākaha as well.

Anakala Hanale offered the "Nā Ho'okele" sculpture as a ho'okupu (gift) to Mayor Blangiardi and his Cultural Arts Program for the city to rectify the lack of signage at Kū'īlioloa Heiau` at Pōka'ī Bay, Wai'anae. For years he and the community members have witnessed the desecration done to this sacred area. We hope the mana from this sculpture and mo'olelo on the plaque will make people respect this place more.

The "Nā Ho'okele" sculpture displayed in this photo taken in 2017, where he is working on a large sculpture of a kanaka in a malo, a Hawaiian navigator, to be installed at Heiau Kū’īlioloa in Wai'anae.

Nanaue

(The Shark God) 1982.

His work is displayed in public and private collections in Japan, France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Canada, Tahiti, and the United States, including in the offices of the Prime Minister of Maori Affairs.

Poli'ahu

(Goddess of Snow) 1984.

The Honolulu Mayor, most of the ali‘i trusts, Hawai‘i State Foundation of Culture and the Arts, the Hawai‘i Maritime Center, Ihilani Hotel, Hilton Waikikian, Aulani Resort Laniwai (O‘ahu), Marriott Hotel (Maui) and the Maunalani Hotel (Big Isle).