Aloha, this Wyland in Key West, my home, and we just arrived with the Hōkūleʻa crew. Kālepa Baybayan was our captain and navigator from Cuba. We had a great cultural visit to Cuba, and it’s part of Hōkūleʻa’s journey around the world. They left Hilo in 2014 and have been sailing around the globe to bring awareness about conservation of our oceans, and for myself and Wyland Foundation, we’ve been on that message for a long time and proud to support this effort to inspire a generation about how important it is to protect and respect our natural world, our oceans, and our entire planet Earth. It’s a great vision that Nainoa has, and he was here to greet the crew when we sailed in. I was one of the crewmembers that sailed in from Hemmingway Harbor in Cuba. It’s about a 17 voyage across the sea, but we’re here in Key West now. I know Key West is very excited. The mayor came down to greet Nainoa, Kālepa, and the whole Hōkūleʻa crew. So we are really proud that the Hōkūleʻa could come here to here to the beautiful Florida Keys, and Key West is the perfect place to start. They’re going to journey up to the Everglades National Park. I hope to join them there again, and I hope all of you will check out Hokulea.com and see the vision they have for uniting all the people on the planet for ocean conservation. Nainoa told me quite a while ago when we sailed to Samoa that every place Hōkūleʻa visits is another flower to the lei until they return home four years later. It’s a beautiful thing inspired by aloha and the spirit of the canoe. It’s very special, and on behalf of the Wyland Foundation and all our conservation partners, it’s a great honor to join Nainoa and the crew of the Hōkūleʻa on this Worldwide Voyage. Congratulations!
Welcome Hōkūleʻa and her crew to Everglades City on Saturday, March 2016 at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in the Everglades National Park.
Address: 815 Oyster Bar Lane. Everglades City, Florida 34139
More than Adventure
Beyond a daring expedition, the Worldwide Voyage is quite possibly the most important mission that Hawaiʻi has ever attempted. As people of Oceania, we are leading a campaign that gives voice to our ocean and planet by highlighting innovative solutions practiced by cultures around the planet.
We could not have begun this great journey without your support, nor can we continue to its completion.