In 2002, "Fafa" Leon Toofa, a master canoe carver from Tahiti, came to Hana,Maui to help build a koa racing canoe for the community.

The seed for the book, Gift from the Forest grew as I watched my dad, and many people help Fafa build the canoe. Extensive research went into writing and illustrating this story. take a look at the moamoa. Also, the Polynesian Voyaging Society has a great site.