Volunteer David Anderson holds up a picture of a traditional outrigger in the Marshall Islands. He said the outriggers built in the Marshall Islands are not built for beauty, but instead for a purpose. The locals usually piece together driftwood and other sticks found around the island.

Tin Tin plays around the outrigger at the building site in Portland. @Savannah Blake

Tiem Clement ties a unique knot to secure the front piece on the outrigger.

Kianna's sister, Cenna, lays out Marshallese gifts on the table for people to take at the outrigger unveiling event. @Savannah Blake

Once "Mama" places the leaves on the outrigger, she pushes them around to make sure there are no exposed areas. @Savannah Blake

Cenna and her daughter place a flower headpiece on a family member's head before the event begins. @Savannah Blake

Cenna and her husband look at photos of the Marshall Islands during the outrigger unveiling event at Portland State University. @Savannah Blake

During the event visitors gather around the outrigger as Kianna is invited to pull the first banana leaf off the outrigger. @Savannah Blake

After nearly a year of working on the outrigger, it is finally displayed for the public at Portland State University. @Savannah Blake

Kianna's great aunt or "Mama" embraces Kianna's adopted mother. This was the first time Kianna's Marshallese family met her adoptive parents. @Savannah Blake