Honoring Papa Sam Kalalau: An ‘Ohana Wa’a Talk Story
The stories shared around a waʻa carry more than memories. They help us know the people who came before us, understand what they carried, and find our own place in continuing their work.
At a recent ʻOhana Waʻa panel in Hāna, Uncle Snake Ah Hee, Uncle Kimo Lyman, and Nakua Konohia-Lind gathered for a talk story honoring Papa Sam Kalalau. Moderated by Kaimana Barcarse, with members of the Kalalau ʻohana present, the conversation brought together personal memories, laughter, and lessons from generations of voyaging.
We’re grateful to share the full conversation on our new ʻOhana Waʻa YouTube channel, giving those who couldn’t join us a chance to listen and those who were there a chance to return to these stories.
A waterman from Hāna
Sam Kalalau’s relationship with the ocean began long before Hōkūleʻa. As a young boy, he went fishing with his father in a small outrigger canoe out of Hāna Bay, learning about currents, stars, and the waters around home.
A paniolo, ranch foreman, fisherman, and World War II veteran, Sam brought a lifetime of experience to Hōkūleʻa’s first voyage to Tahiti in 1976. At 52, he was the oldest crew member aboard, serving as a crew member and steersman.
During the panel, Uncle Snake remembered Sam’s deep understanding of the ocean and how much there was to learn simply by listening to him. Uncle Kimo shared his waʻa brother’s admiration for Sam, describing a man as steady aboard a canoe as he was on horseback.
Their memories help us understand Sam beyond his place on a crew list: someone whose knowledge, strength, and presence helped others feel secure at sea.
The next generation answers the call
That connection to the waʻa continues through Sam’s great-grandson, Nakua Konohia-Lind.
During the panel, Nakua remembered growing up helping care for Papa Sam and Tūtū C.C., working around their home and learning through the everyday kuleana of ʻohana. Although he never sailed with Sam, he spoke about continuing to feel his guidance.
Nakua’s own voyaging path began unexpectedly. After leaving Hāna to study boat repair at Honolulu Community College, he found himself working on Hōkūleʻa as she was being prepared for the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage. He started by helping with the work in front of him, including sanding and fiberglass repairs, and went on to voyage extensively.
In 2017, at age 24, Nakua captained Hōkūleʻa into his home community of Hāna. In a Civil Beat story about that homecoming, Nainoa Thompson reflected on sailing with Sam in 1976 and recognizing the same kindness, strength, and commitment to others in Nakua.
Across the panel, that continuity came through clearly. Our kūpuna’s influence lives in how we work, how we care for our crew, and how we welcome the next generation aboard.
Keeping the stories close
Alongside memories of Papa Sam, the panelists shared lessons about humility, trusting one another, respecting the ocean, and learning through experience. Their stories remind us why making time to sit together and listen matters.
Mahalo to Uncle Snake, Uncle Kimo, Nakua, Kaimana, and the Kalalau ʻohana for sharing their memories and manaʻo.
We invite you to watch the full panel and subscribe to our new ʻOhana Waʻa YouTube channel. We’re glad to have another place to share the voices and stories of our voyaging ʻohana. Subscribe to ʻOhana Waʻa’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OhanaWaaHawaii
Read more about Nakua’s 2017 Hāna homecoming: https://www.civilbeat.org/2017/11/hokuleas-voyage-to-hana-is-a-homecoming-for-young-captain/
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