Halau Maui Nui O Kama at Kihei Canoe Club offers “Celebration of Life” / Ashes Memorial Ceremonies to honor your loved ones who have passed, while helping you find meaningful closure to the mourning process. To Hawaiians, even in death, there is a feeling of hope that loved ones will be reunited again — you’ll find the phrase “a hui hou” (until we meet again) shared throughout their cultural practices.
Our traditional ceremony includes Hawaiian
oli (chants), hula,
mele (songs),
pule (prayer), blowing of the
pū (shell), and the opportunity to spread your loved one’s ashes from a tropical flower-adorned, double-hull (12-person) outrigger canoe.
Up to 6 guests* will accompany experienced paddlers a short distance from shore into the beautiful waters of south shore Maui. Additional
oli and
mele will be performed while releasing your loved one’s ashes and/or scattering of loose flowers from the outrigger canoe (no lei or string allowed to help protect our sea life). Once we return to shore, the ceremony ends with a brief song and final prayer.
Our ceremonies are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings — with limited availability each month. Members of the Halau volunteer their time, however, a minimum donation of $500 is required for each 12-person canoe. This donation helps support our
keiki (youth) and other club programs.
Most days on Maui are perfect for our Ashes Ceremonies, yet sometimes, the ocean is too rough to safely perform this ritual. If the conditions aren't favorable, our dedication, effort, and aloha will still be present in a shore ceremony that remains both beautiful and meaningful. If conditions are unsuitable and a shore ceremony is not preferred, rescheduling is an option (subject to availability).
Please email
contact@kiheicanoeclub.com for more information and to secure your date. Additional details will be provided from our
Halau coordinator when a date has been confirmed for the service. We are honored you have considered
Halau Maui Nui O Kama to assist you in providing a meaningful way to honor your loved ones…
Aloha and
a hui hou.
* Guests must be 12+ years old & 48” or taller to be in the canoe