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Hōkūleʻa Welcomes the United Nations Secretary-General

PAGO PAGO, American Sāmoa – The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and President of Republic of Palau, Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., sailed aboard Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia in Apia Harbor, Samoa today. They joined Worldwide Voyage crew and specialists Sylvia Earle of Mission Blue, artist Wyland, and Greg Stone of Conservation International.

“Hōkūle’a, our voyaging canoe, threads together stories of hope as she voyages across the world’s oceans.  We are inspired that His Excellency Ban Ki-moon and heads of state for our island nations are coming together on Hōkūle’a’s deck around shared values of preserving and protecting our oceans,” said Nainoa Thompson, president and master navigator of Polynesian Voyaging Society.

His Excellency Ban Ki-moon presented Thompson and the crew of the Worldwide Voyage with a handwritten message in a bottle that he asked them to carry with them as they circle the globe.  The message stated, “I am honored to be a part of Hōkūle’a’s Worldwide Voyage.  I am inspired by its global mission. As you tour the globe, I will work and rally more leaders to our common cause of ushering in a more sustainable future, and a life of dignity for all.”

Today’s sail represents the theme of the Worldwide Voyage, Mālama Honua, or “Care for our Island Earth.” The ongoing United Nations Small Island Developing States conference focuses on island nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and the challenges that face our oceans.

“People often say we are in the same boat,” Ban Ki-moon said during the conference,” I would say we are all on the same small island on the same small planet Earth; this is like a small boat in the universe.”

On the same afternoon of the UN Secretary General sail, Polynesian Voyaging Society leaders at home in Hawai’i took part in a Pillars of Peace dialogue about climate change hosted by the Hawaii Community Foundation. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a panelist at the event and a former guest aboard Hōkūle’a, emphasized to participants, “We have just one planet home.  This is an issue of whether we want to survive as a species or not.”

“Hōkūle’a and Hikianalia are taking a positive message around the globe about the need to care for each other, our oceans, and earth at a critical time in history,” said Polynesian Voyaging Society Chairman, Neil Hannahs.  “Their dedicated crew at sea and on land are asserting that traditional island cultures have a great deal of wisdom about how to care for each other and our limited resources.”

After the Samoa conference, Hōkūle’a and her sister canoe Hikianalia continue their sail across Earth’s oceans to grow the global movement toward a more sustainable world. The Worldwide Voyage, sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines, will cover 47,000 nautical miles, 85 ports and 26 countries, including 12 of UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage sites, through June 2017

About the Polynesian Voyaging Society
The Polynesian Voyaging Society was founded in 1973 on a legacy of Pacific Ocean exploration, seeking to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, one another, and their natural and cultural environments.

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Hikianalia approaching the low lying island of Aitutaki.

Blog | Haunani Keamo: These Stories are Not Found in Books

Hōkūle’a was born out of a vision and dream from a diverse group of leaders who believed in the courage, exploration, hope, and skill that guided the first Hawaiians to their new home. The leaders have laid the foundation of knowledge and values by which we navigate today.

I am very fortunate to be a part of this new adventure of Hōkūle’a, to sail around the world. Furthermore, I feel especially fortunate to serve as crew on leg two (Tahiti to Sāmoa), as I’ve had the opportunity to sail with many of the original crew members from the 1976 voyage. They provide examples of strength and courage and serve as role models for all of us to follow. Their humility is inspiring. I cherish every moment spent learning from them and listening to their stories and experiences aboard Hōkūle’a. These moments are priceless and the stories they tell are not found in books. For the short time I have been sailing with them, I have gained much insight and knowledge that I can take with me and share with my family, friends and especially my students.
As an educator, I have witnessed how these great leaders along with Hōkūle’a have inspired our youth and transformed education. Those who made the original voyage to Tahiti and those who followed their lead have provided the foundation for educators to create curriculum to engage our students.

As Hōkūle’a sails around the world carrying the message of “mālama honua”, she once again inspires people to do their part to make the world a better place. Students in Hawai’i have already been learning about ways they can “mālama honua.” Accompanying Hōkūle’a and Hikianalia are two solar wa’a that were engineered by groups of elementary and intermediate students in Hawai’i. They provide testimony of how Hōkūle’a and the diverse group of leaders who had the courage to make the first voyage are impacting our youth today. I feel a great debt to these pioneers who have paved the way for generations to come.

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