HOW IT ALL STARTED. It was the year 1993. When moving to Hawaii from the UK, I was surprised to notice that, with one or two exceptions, nobody was building scaled-down Polynesian canoes, the very symbols of Polynesian culture and seamanship. My love for boats and ships, particularly catamarans and trimarans, dates back to my time in the French Forces near Brittany, where famous sailors like ERIC TABARLY set sail to win many races. Being passionate about boats, I was fascinated by the exploits of HOKULE’A, a voyaging canoe built in 1974, which sailed to Tahiti and back in 1976 solely guided by the sun, stars, waves, and wind. And then, in September 1992, I was given the chance to go aboard HOKULE’A which was docked at Pier 38 in Honolulu at the time. By chance, Wright Bowman Jr., who established "The Friends of HOKULE’A and HAWAI’ILOA, was on the deck of HOKULE’A; he graciously accepted my request to come on board, take pictures, and make measurements to make a model of the canoe.
Present that day was also Ben Finney, a renowned anthropologist known for his expertise in Polynesian navigation and canoe sailing, and a founder of the POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY. Having the opportunity to meet and interact with these influential individuals solidified my determination to help preserve and celebrate Polynesian culture.
Inspired by the rich history and significance of the HOKULE’A, I embarked on a personal endeavor to construct scaled-down replicas of Polynesian canoes. My passion for accuracy and authenticity drove me to study the many canoe types across Oceania and their construction methods, materials, and designs, ensuring the utmost fidelity in his creations.
Through tedious craftsmanship and unwavering dedication, I painstakingly constructed these scaled-down models starting in 1993, seeking to capture every intricate detail that made HOKULE’A and other Polynesian canoes such marvels of maritime engineering. From the elegant curves of the hull to the intricate lashings and rigging systems, each model was a testament to my commitment to reviving the art of traditional Polynesian canoe building in the shape of scaled down models.
I have never stopped doing it, professionally, since that first day in 1992 when I stepped onto what I still consider the most elegant voyaging canoe ever built across Oceania
I hold the deepest admiration and respect for the late BEN FINNEY, TOMMY HOLMES, and HERB KAWAINUI KANE. They possessed the rare courage to pursue a shared dream- a vision that didn’t just navigate the physical oceans, but charted a course for the rebirth of Hawaiian culture. Their legacy lives on in every swell the HOKULE’A climbs.
HOKULE’A in the lobby of the FOUR SEASONS HOTEL RESORT, MALAMA BAY, LANAI, HAWAII
Home and Garden TV (HGTV) featured Francis Pimmel and his work on their nationwide show "MODERN MASTERS" on November 4, 2001. Details on HGTV.com