Pacific Islands Region

Kimokeo Kapahulehua blesses the R/V Hihimanu. (Photo by Paul Wong)

The Pacific Islands Region, joined by Senator Daniel K. Akaka and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Director Dan Basta, hosted the blessing of the R/V Hihimanu. The event, held at Rainbow Bay Marina in Pearl Harbor on O'ahu, drew distinguished guests from around the Hawai'i, including state Senator David Ige, Representatives Roland Sagum and Chris Lee, a representative for City and County of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman, and for State Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, University of Hawai'i Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology Director Jo-Ann Leong, as well as special guest Dr. Isabella Abbott, professor emeritus at University of Hawai'i and the Bishop Museum.

Hihimanu is the Hawaiian word for stingray and spotted eagle ray.

Senator Daniel K. Akaka addresses the crowd watched by Kimokeo Kapahulehua and Allen Tom. (Photo by Delores Clark)

Pacific Islands Regional Director Allen Tom acted as master of ceremonies to a crowd of over 50 guests. Kimokeo Kapāhulehua, a long time partner with the region blessed the boat with assistance from William Aila, who is a member of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) Reserve Advisory Council. Rainbow Bay Marina is part of the Pearl Harbor complex, and the Navy assisted with the logistics for the event.

The 11-meter boat calls O'ahu home port, but travels to Maui for whale season each year. She is shared by the PMNM and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. For more information about the R/V Hihimanu, click here. (pdf, 88kb).