Hikianalia Update | January 3, 2016

Waʻa Hikianalia, escort vessel Hoʻokela and the Worldwide Voyage ʻOhana Waʻa crew arrived in Lāhaina on January 3, 2016, under the leadership of ’76 crewmember Snake Ah Hee. ʻOhana Waʻa representatives from Maui Nui (Maui, Molokai and Lanaʻi) and Oʻahu crewed the vessels. Hikianalia crewmembers included Kapala Novikoff, Eugene Tihada, Captain Snake Ah Hee, Bob Perkins, Jeff Schaefer, Kekama Helm, Archie Kalepa, Patrick Chong-Tim, Keoki Kahoohalahala, Sol Kahoohalaha, Mahina Hou Ross, Myrna Ah Hee, Kala Baybayan Tanaka (featured in the photo below, left to right, back to front). Hoʻokela crewmembers included Captain Moani Hemuli, Terry Hee, Clifford Kapono, Haunani Kane, CJ Elizares, and Cyrus Sutton.

Crewmembers departed from the Marine Education & Training Center on Oʻahu at 10:30pm on Saturday January 2, after a dinner of roast chicken, salad, chili and rice. Crews and volunteers worked on Saturday to prep the vessels for this first neighbor island leg of Hikianalia’s 2016 sail plan, including fellow ʻ76 crewmember Billy Richards. Captain and navigator Nainoa Thompson joined the crew at METC to talk story and wish them well before their departure.

After crossing the channels between Oʻahu, Molokai, Lanaʻi, and Maui overnight, the canoes arrived in the harbor at Lahaina in the afternoon, where ʻOhana Waʻa and Maui cultural delegation members awaited their arrival.

Hikianalia will be based out of Lāhaina for most of the month of January, with community outreach events planned for January 8-9 and January 21-23. Please see the attached flyer for the information about the January 8-9 events, and stay tuned for more information about the January 21-23 events. You can find updates on outreach events and track Hikianalia’s location at www.hokulea.com/hikianalia/.

Thank you for your interest in and support of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage!

HIKI PHOTO: CJ Elizares
CREW PHOTO: Myrna Ah Hee