Rooted in Tradition

Kai ‘Ehitu believes in honoring the ancestors who came before us. When we paddle, we connect with their journeys across the Pacific, their respect for the sea, and their trust in the stars, wind, and waves. Every stroke carries forward that lineage.

Our team holds fast to these traditions, blending them with the warmth of modern ‘ohana. We welcome paddlers of every background, ability, and stage of life to share in this legacy.

Join our ‘Ohana

At Kai ‘Ehitu, we believe paddling is for everyone. Come for the exercise, stay for the friendships, and discover the joy of being part of something bigger than yourself. Whether you’re here for a season, a year, or a lifetime - we welcome you in our canoes.

  • Papa, Robert & Richard Kimitete (see the original at the Polynesian Cultural Center).

  • Mama Kimitete cheering on Kai 'Ehitu paddlers at a Kailua-Kona Regatta (Early 1980's).

  • Papa and Mama Kimitete at the end of a Keoua Canoe Club long distance race held in the mid 1980's (Va'a Pictured: Maeha'a & Hono'ura).

  • Mama Kimitete.

  • Papa and Mama Kimitete. Papa’s reputation as a master woodcarver led to jobs at the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Kona Village Resort.

  • Pierre “Papa” Kimitete with Puamaile and Healani.

  • Papa and Mama Kimitete. Papa coached soccer until the day he passed away. He showed up, rain or shine.

  • “We are living what our parents taught us, representing the whole family, country, and Polynesian people everywhere,” says Puamaile Kimitete.

History

Ia Ora Na Tatou,

Bernard Pierre Kimitete well known as "Papa or Papi" was born in Hatiheu Nuku-Hiwa, Marquesas Islands on September 25,1940. His parents Joseph Utunaiki and Adelaide Kimitete were also from Nuku-Hiwa Marquesas Islands. Papa was raised in Pape'ete, Tahiti where he learned the art of woodcarving under the guardianship of his father, renowned Master Legend woodcarver. His father's artifacts can be found in museums, churches, homes of famous actors & actress celebrities, royal families, hotels and prominent sites throughout the world.

Like his father, his love for the art is evident in each piece that is created like the large stone Ti'i carving of a woman and two children located in the Tahitian and Marquesas Village of the Polynesian Cultural Center in La'ie, O'ahu. The image above of the ti'i is his beautiful wife Augustine and their two sons, Robert and Richard completed back in the early 1960's.

In the early years, the Polynesian Cultural Center commissioned Joseph Kimitete to craft his exclusive woodcarving in their brand new Tahitian Village. Joseph and his wife Adelaide arrived in Hawai'i where his first "Hawaiian" roots were planted through his beautiful carvings. In 1962, Pierre "Papa" and his wife Augustine "Mama", and their three sons Robert, Richard and Teiki arrived in Hawai'i to get settled into their new place that they will call home. Together as a family, they built a Tahitian Village filled with canoes, paddles, tiki, murals, spears, to'ere; pahu drums and continuously expressed their love for their culture through their daily examples. When the village was completed, Joseph and Adelaide returned back to Tahiti. It was Hawaii's great fortune that Pierre "Papa", Augustine "Mama" and their family decided to remain in Hawai'i to help manage the Tahitian Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center. He continued to master the art of woodcarving and thus began his own legacy in the isles of Hawai'i.

While in La'ie, O'ahu,"Papa" and "Mama" contributed greatly to the success of the Polynesian Cultural Center. However, due to his distinguished reputation as master woodcarver, Papa was commissioned to design art pieces for the newly built Ka'upulehu, Kona Village Resort on the Kohala, Coast Hawai'i Island. Then in l97l, it was then that he moved his entire family to Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i which eventually became there permanent place of residence.

In his wonderful home of Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, "Papa" not only created beautiful pieces of art, but also created a lifetime of learning for thousands of youth and adults by forming his own 'Ohana Canoe Club, KAI 'EHITU. With his whole 'ohana involved with their canoe club, he spent countless hours carving these wa'a, 'iako, ama, wae, hoe and giving more of himself by teaching everyone in the canoe club valuable life skills such as hard work, perseverance, the importance of setting and attaining goals, and always fulfilling one's dreams. "Papa" built several koa canoes in his life and today we have two (2) of his original koa canoes that is still with us.

1. "HEIPUALANI" which is named after there two daughters: Healani and Puamaile
2. "VAI TIARE" which means: The fresh waters of the Tiare blossom.

On October 05, 2002 Bernard Pierre "Papa" or "Papi", as he was affectionately known, left us to prepare his ultimate halau and is still teaching and paddling through the next life in true Tahitian Style. "Papa's" purpose of forming Kai 'Ehitu, is to make sure his wife"Mama", children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will have a foundation here in Hawai'i and to make sure his 'Ohana and extended 'Ohana will always call Kai 'Ehitu home.

Today, the Kai 'Ehitu Outrigger Team and lives on through his wonderful 'Ohana, his lovely wife Augustine "Mama", children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mauru'uru Roa