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Gov Ige Enacts Bills Rooted in the Spirit of Mālama Honua

On Monday, voyaging canoe Hikianalia and PVS crewmembers sailed to waters outside Magic Island, Oʻahu to witness as Gov. Ige signed several bills into law further pushing Hawaiʻi to the forefront of environmental stewardship. The bills resonate with continued efforts of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and legacy of Hōkūleʻa to inspire and grow a movement to mālama honua, to care for our Island Earth. To learn more, continue reading the following press release from the Governor’s Office.

Governor David Ige signs bills to set carbon-neutral goal and combat climate change

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige signed today three bills that set a carbon-neutral goal by 2045, create a carbon offset program and require a sea-level rise analysis in environmental impact statements.

“Climate change is real and we’re seeing its impacts right now in our island state. Taken together, this suite of bills establishes policies and programs that acknowledge and address this reality” said Gov. Ige.

HB2182 – Makes Hawaiʻi carbon neutral by 2045 and establishes the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force. HB 2182 becomes Act 15 and takes effect on July 1, 2018.

“One year ago, Hawaiʻi became the first state to adopt a law aligning with the Paris agreement to combat climate change. Today we take the next step and pledge to be carbon-neutral by 2045, the same year we expect to reach our goal of generating 100 percent of our electricity from clean, renewable sources,” said Gov. Ige.

HB1986 – Creates a framework for a carbon offset program that allows for carbon credits through global carbon sequestration protocols. HB 1986 becomes Act 16 and takes effect on July 1, 2018.

“We see tremendous potential for restoration, protection and management of forest areas in Hawaiʻi to offer cost-efficient climate change mitigation. That’s why this framework for capturing carbon through reforestation and carbon farming is an important step forward,” Gov. Ige said.

HB2106 – Requires a sea level rise analysis in environmental impact statements before building projects. HB 2106 becomes Act 17 and takes effect upon approval.

“Sea level rise is already having an impact on beaches, roadways and homes near the shoreline. As a result, we face difficult land-use decisions, and requiring an analysis of sea level rise before beginning construction is just plain common sense,” said Gov. Ige.

For more information about the State of Hawaii’s response to the global climate crisis visit http://climate.hawaii.gov/.

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Master Navigators Featured at Talk Story Events During Hōkūleʻa’s Maunalua Bay Visit

Hōkūleʻa’s 12-day engagement with the Maunalua Bay community continues with more dockside canoe tours and “talk story” presentations featuring Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) pwo navigators Nainoa Thompson and Bruce Blankenfeld and crew members from the Maunalua Bay and Hawaiʻi Kai region. The events are free and open to the public:

Hōkūleʻa Crew “Talk Story” Presentations — Crewmembers will share stories and lessons learned from the recent Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage.

  • Monday, May 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Kaiser High School Cafeteria
    Featuring an interactive “talk story” with PVS pwo navigator Bruce Blankenfeld and other Hōkūleʻa crew members who will talk about how the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage is inspiring action in Hawaiʻi’s communities to protect our oceans and natural resources.
  • EVENT POSTPONED: Due to the flu, Nainoa Thompson will not be presenting at Kaiser High School as scheduled. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as Nainoa takes some time to fully recover. Please stay tuned for the rescheduled date and time for his presentation.
  •  Wednesday, May 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Kaiser High School Cafeteria
    Featuring a presentation from PVS pwo navigator Nainoa Thompson. Born and raised in Niu Valley, Nainoa will share his own personal connection to Maunalua Bay area and community through the lens of mālama honua and environmental stewardship.

    • Dockside Canoe Tours at Hawaiʻi Kai Town Center
    • Saturday & Sunday (May 19 & 20), 10 to 4 p.m.
    • Monday & Tuesday (May 21 & 22), 3 to 6 p.m.
    • Wednesday (May 23), 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Hōkūleʻa arrived at Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center last week Saturday and been hosting school and community tours. On May 24, the canoe will depart Maunalua Bay and return to PVS headquarters on Sand Island.

For the latest updates on Hōkūleʻa and the Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, visit hokulea.com and follow the PVS social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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The Earthshot

Polynesian Voyaging Society joined local partners, community leaders and Pacific-wide voyagers for an Earth Day convening and Elemental Excelerator’s Energy Summit, an effort to galvanize action to design a clean, resilient, and equitable future for the planet we call home, Earth. Here’s a short film called “The Earth Shot” about how transitioning to clean energy will require collective action from all of us, from entrepreneurs to teachers, from voters to legislators, from Hawaii to each jurisdiction across the world.

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Hōkūleʻa Repair Work to be Completed by Friday

Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail to Continue at Maunalua Bay, Hawaiʻi Kai

After nine days of drydock, Hōkūleʻa is poised to return to the ocean just in time to sail to Maunalua Bay, the next scheduled stop on the Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail. Damages sustained to the hulls while sailing along Hawaiʻi Island last week are currently being repaired, and the legendary voyaging canoe is slated to be ready to depart from Sand Island this Friday for an almost two-week community engagement at Hawaii Kai Towne Center. Hōkūleʻa also will return to Hawaiʻi Island later this year to reschedule school and community tours that were postponed due to the canoe’s damages.

Weather-permitting, Hōkūleʻa will arrive at Maunalua Bay this Friday night and then will dock at Hawaii Kai Towne Center early Saturday morning where she will remain until May 24, 2018. During the stop, the Hōkūleʻa and crew also will participate in the Maunalua Heritage Festival — E Hō Mai I Waiwai, which kicks off on May 12, 2018.

While docked at Hawaii Kai Towne Center, the Hōkūleʻa crew will host scheduled school visits. The community will have an opportunity to visit Hōkūleʻa and meet the crew at the following free events:

Dockside Canoe Tours at Hawaii Kai Town Center (Free and Open to the Public)

  • Saturday, May 12, 3:30 to 6:30 pm
  • Sunday, May 13, 10 am to 4 pm
  • Monday through Friday (May 14-18), 3 to 6 pm
  • Saturday & Sunday (May 19 & 20), 10 to 4 p.m.
  • Monday through Wednesday (May 21-23), 3 to 6 p.m.

Hōkūleʻa Crew Talk Story Presentations (Free and Open to the Public)

  • Monday, May 14, 5:45 to 7 p.m., Hawaii Kai Towne Center (waterfront stage)
  • Friday, May 18, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., Hawaii Kai Towne Center (waterfront stage)
  • Monday, May 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Kaiser High School Cafeteria
  • Wednesday, May 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Kaiser High School Cafeteria
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Volunteer Opportunities – Oʻahu

PVS is excited to invite you to join our outreach team and crewmembers at a number of exciting events happening this May, June and July.

We also need a little in the office from time to time, as well as caring for Hōkūleʻa and other canoes when they are in drydock.

Mahalo for helping PVS share the legacy of Hōkūleʻa with all of Hawaiʻi and the world! Please visit the link below for more information: www.Hokulea.com/Kokua

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Hōkūleʻa to Return to Oʻahu for Repairs

Hōkūleʻa will be returning to Oʻahu from Hawaiʻi Island earlier than scheduled due to damage to the canoe’s hulls that will need to be repaired immediately. While sailing to Kawaihae yesterday to continue the Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, Hōkūleʻa’s crew experienced some difficulty and the canoe went aground causing damage to the the canoe’s hulls. No crew members were injured during the incident.

Although there is damage to the bottom of the hulls, initial assessment by leadership concludes it is safe to bring the voyaging canoe back to O’ahu for the needed repairs. She will be returning to Oʻahu tomorrow to begin drydock repairs immediately at METC on Sand Island this week. Due to the early departure from Kawaihae Harbor, all school and public canoe tours will be postponed until further notice. The canoe was scheduled to be docked at Kawaihae Harbor until May 10, 2018.

“Hōkūleʻa is a living, cultural treasure and it is our responsibility to make sure we mālama her with the care she needs at this time,” said Nainoa Thompson, president of Polynesian Voyaging Society. “We will be leaving Kawaihae tomorrow with a promise that we’re going to heal Hōkūleʻa and she will be returning as soon as possible to the children and communities of Moku O Keawe (Hawaiʻi Island),” he added.

Despite Hōkūleʻa’s early departure from Hawaiʻi Island, the crew panel presentations will not be cancelled and will take place as scheduled:

  • May 3, 6-8 p.m., Kahilu Town Hall, Waimea
    Panel Presentation: Documentation team who were embedded on the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage
  • May 5, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Fairmont Orchid — Grand Ballroom
    Panel Presentation: ʻOhana Holomoana, 1976 Crew
  • May 6, 4-6 p.m., Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Luʻau Grounds
    Panel Presentation: PiliwehenaʻOle: Inseparable Relationships
  • May 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Kanu o ka Aina, Kamuela
    Malama Honua Community Panel

Individuals who would like to volunteer during Hōkūleʻa drydock period can sign up at www.hokulea.com/kokua.
For those who would like to make a donation to PVS, please visit www.hokulea.com/give.

Mahalo!

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Voyaging Leaders Discuss Next Steps to Create a Thriving Pacific

The Polynesian Voyaging Society in partnership with Ahahui Moananuiakea/Kamehameha Schools,Bishop Museum and Nia Tero hosted the Hoʻokele Honua Summit 2018 at Bishop Museum, April 21. For the first time in history, 25 voyaging leaders from around the world gathered to discuss how summit change-makers can collaborate to work toward environmental balance.

“The pathway the world is on now, if we don’t act and we don’t change it’ll take us to the island of extinction – cause it’s defined by decline,” said Nainoa Thompson, pwo navigator, Polynesian Voyaging Society. “You in this room, are defined and identified by powerful renewal. It’s the next voyage, it’s the next renaissance, it’s the next level of renewal. It’s the earth!”

The summit began with a sacred awa ceremony to welcome the voyaging community at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama and continued with deep conversation around environment and how we can better take care of our land and sea at Bishop Museum. The plenary sessions throughout the day sparked discussion about the past and the appreciation for our ancestors who were great stewards in sustaining and respecting the environment. After reflection, the conversation shifted to responsibility of the voyagers and community action and partnerships needed in order to fulfill a thriving Pacific.

“Everyone here today is part of the 28th “canoe” that will set off on a new voyage to take care of our land,” said Tua Pittman, pwo navigator from Rarotonga, Cook Island. “We’re putting this voyage together because that’s what we’ve been taught to do – taught to overcome adversity and to teach the younger ones to overcome adversity and work together.”

The final plenary offered a space for leaders and share what they have learned and discuss what is next. With strategic partnerships and the support of the community, the leaders hope to break through current social norms and inspire others to take greater responsibility for our environment.

©2018 Polynesian Voyaging Society, Todd Yamashita
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Hōkūleʻa Arrives in Hilo

Hōkūleʻa sailed into Hilo Bay yesterday morning and arrived at the Grand Naniloa Hotel pier where the legendary canoe was greeted with a cultural welcome ceremony featuring chant, musical performances and remarks by Mayor Harry Kim. The canoe will remain in Hilo until April 28, 2018.

During the Hilo visit, the 1976 Hōkūleʻa crew will be honored at the Merrie Monarch Festival Hoʻike on Wednesday, April 4. The crew also will host presentations, school visits, and a community day with public dockside canoe tours at Wailoa Harbor on April 21, 2018.

Hōkūleʻa Hilo Schedule:

  • April 4-6 — School Field Trips
  • April 4 — Merrie Monarch Recognition Ceremony for the 1976 Crew
  • April 5 — 1976 Voyage Crew Presentation at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi, 1-2:30P
  • April 6 — 1976 Crew visits Kamehameha Schools Keaʻau Campus
  • April 9-13 — School Field Trips
  • April 12th – Lecture series: Waʻa Talks, Malama Honua Community Schools, 5:30-7:30pm at Kanu o ka Aina
  • April 16-19 — Department Of Education Field Trips
  • April 20 — Hōkūleʻa departs Grand Naniloa Hotel for Wailoa Harbor
  • April 19th-21s — Hōkūleʻa docks at Wailoa Harbor
  • April 21 — Community Day-Education Expo at Wailoa Harbor, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 22 — Hōkūleʻa returns to Grand Naniloa Hotel Pier
  • April 23-27 — Department Of Education Field Trips at Naniloa Pier
  • April 28 — Hōkūleʻa departs Hilo for Kawaihae Harbor
  • From April 28 to May 10, Hōkūleʻa will be moored at Kawaihae Harbor during which the crew will host public events including panel discussions and dockside canoe tours.

Photos from Hōkūleʻa’s Arrival to Hilo

© 2018 Kaipo Kiaha

Photos from Hōkūleʻa’s Kona to Hilo Sail

© 2018 Kaipo Kiaha

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