Legendary voyaging canoes Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia are approaching the Hawaiian Islands after three years at sea.

Given that Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia are dependent on nature, a two week window was created to ensure the canoes arrive on time to meet the love, support and aloha of Hawai‘i. The two-week window also allows crewmembers to visit three very special sacred sites in Hawai‘i: Kaho‘olawe, Kalaupapa and Kualoa. There, the crew will pay respect to the culture, environment, history and heritage. These sites will be the last ports of the Worldwide Voyage and act as the final permission that allows Hōkūle‘a to come home and finish the epic voyage. Hōkūle‘a was launched from Kualoa; on the return leg of her maiden voyage, from Tahiti to Hawai‘i, the first place she anchored back in Hawai‘i was at Kalaupapa. These are spiritual and deeply important places for all people in Hawai‘i, and Hōkūle‘a crewmembers will be paying respect to them with a private ceremony.

Hōkūle‘a has not been in Hawaiian waters since the journey’s launch in May 2014. One of the many extraordinary aspects of the Worldwide Voyage is the opportunity it provided to train the next generation of navigators. “Succession is part of the mission and we are so proud,” says Nainoa Thompson, pwo navigator and president of Polynesian Voyaging Society. “We made a promise to the next generation that we would train them to be able to navigate these canoes in the future.”

Thousands of people have been working over a year to celebrate the completion of the worldwide voyage. Hōkūle‘a will be welcomed home to O‘ahu on June 17 at Magic Island, with a grand public celebration and ceremony followed by community Ho‘olaulea later in the day. The Mālama Honua Fair and Summit, held at the Hawaii Convention Center, will extend the celebration through June 20.

Hōkūle‘a Homecoming – Save the Date

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