Cairns outrigger craft given traditional Polynesian blessing

Two new racing canoes were blessed in a traditional ceremony at Yorkeys Knob for a very important reason.

THE blessing of two new watercraft at Yorkeys Knob on Sunday was celebrated by the FNQ outrigger canoe community.

Hekili Outrigger Canoe Club Cairns president Charlie McKillop said they were delighted to mark the arrival of two new race canoes in the ceremony fusing Polynesian and Indigenous cultures.

Uncle Peter Hyde and Johnathon Vemoa close the blessing ceremony Picture: Emily Barker

“In keeping with the Polynesian tradition of the sport, the waka (canoes) must be blessed prior to racing so as to assure safe passage for the craft and all paddlers who use them,” she said.

“We are excited to honour the indigenous connection to outrigger canoes through the involvement of Uncle Peter Hyde, who’s given permission to name one of the new canoes after this traditional name ‘Bumi’ which means thunder.

Maria Pokia applying a traditional Polynesian blessing to the newly acquired canoes on the Yorkeys Knob foreshore. Picture: Emily Barker

“By coincidence, our club name ‘Hekili’ is the Hawaiian word for thunder, it was originally set up by Cairns company, Raging Thunder, over 20 years ago.

“The other canoe will be named D-jagengi or hammerhead shark.”

Maria Pokia, Uncle Peter Hyde, Esmay Cedric, Johnathon Vemoa, Charlie McKillop, Kiara Henderson, Junjun Wangal, Giragira Narrnggay, Hazel Patterson, Meradine Hohepa, front Ramina Gadd, Mulginhi Underwood and Bradley Cedric behind one of the blessed canoes traditionally named Bumi; meaning thunder. Picture: Emily Barker

Ms McKillop said the club is lucky to have the new craft, “thanks to a grant from the Gaming Machine Community Benefit Fund and a lot of Bunnings sausage sizzles.”

She said the club has a very diverse membership.

“We have paddlers aged from 8 to 80, it seems people have come through Covid looking for new experiences, ” she said.

“They have found outrigger canoeing is a fun, safe way to get fit and remain socially connected while enjoying our amazing tropical lifestyle.”

Originally published as Cairns outrigger craft given traditional Polynesian blessing