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Hōkūleʻa Departs for Maui After One-Day Weather Delay

Hōkūleʻa departed Sand Island, Oʻahu at approximately 11:45 a.m. this morning and is headed for Maui after being delayed for more than 24 hours due to yesterday’s severe weather conditions. The voyaging canoe is expected to arrive in Māʻalaea Harbor between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. The canoe will remain docked at Māʻalaea Harbor until March 2, 2018, where school groups are scheduled to visit and daily public dockside canoe tours will be held starting Tuesday, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Hōkūleʻa was originally scheduled to arrive into Māʻalaea Harbor this morning, however, due to the delayed departure, today’s welcome ceremony and public canoe tours were cancelled. The Hōkūleʻa Panel Discussion and Screening of Worldwide Voyage Film Highlights at the Grand Wailea is still scheduled to take place this evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Haleakala Ballroom 2/3 (Makena South Entrance). Free and open to the public, attendees will hear stories about the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage from Hōkūleʻa’s navigators and crew. The hotel is offering complimentary valet parking. Below is a schedule of the public dockside canoe tours at Māʻalaea Harbor:

Tuesday, February 20 to Friday, February 23 | 1-3:00 p.m.
Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Māʻalaea Harbor

Saturday, February 24 to Sunday, February 25 | 9 a.m. – Noon
Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Māalaea Harbor

Monday, February 26 to Thursday, March 1 | 1-3:00 p.m.
Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Māalaea Harbor

Parking for public tours is available in the Māʻalaea harbor public paid parking stalls and the large Maui Harbor Shops parking lot. Hōkūleʻa will be located on the South side of the harbor at the far end of the dock. Hōkūleʻa’s visit to Māʻalaea is part of the Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail.

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Hōkūleʻa’s Departure to Maui Delayed Due to Weather

Māʻalaea Harbor, Maui Arrival Ceremony Postponed Until Further Notice

Due to the forecast for potential severe weather, the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) has postponed Hōkūleʻa’s departure from Oʻahu to Maui until possibly tomorrow.  Currently docked at METC in Sand Island, the voyaging canoe was scheduled to depart this morning at 1:00 a.m. and was supposed to arrive at Māʻalaea Harbor at9:00 a.m. on Monday morning (Presidents’ Day).  Due to the delayed departure, the welcome ceremony at Māʻalaea Harbor has been postponed until the new arrival date and time is determined.

If weather conditions improve, Hōkūleʻa will depart at 6:00 a.m.tomorrow morning and will arrive at Māʻalaea Harbor by Tuesday morning.  PVS will continue to provide updates on hokulea.com and social media.

The Hōkūleʻa Panel Discussion and Screening of Worldwide Voyage Film Highlights at the Grand Wailea is still scheduled to take place tomorrow (Monday, Feb. 19) at 6:00 p.m. at the Haleakala Ballroom 2/3 (Makena South Entrance).  Free and open to the public, attendees will hear stories about the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage from Hōkūleʻa’s navigators and crew.  The hotel is offering complimentary valet parking.

If Hōkūleʻa arrives by Tuesday morning, public canoe tours and school visits will continue as scheduled weather permitting (please checkhokulea.com and social media for the latest schedule updates):

Tuesday, February 20 to Friday, February 23

1-3:00 p.m.
Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Māʻalaea Harbor

Saturday, February 24 to Sunday, February 25

9 a.m. – Noon
Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Māalaea Harbor

Monday, February 26 to Thursday, March 1

1-3:00 p.m.
Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Māalaea Harbor

Parking for public tours is available in the Māʻalaea harbor public paid parking stalls and the large Maui Harbor Shops parking lot. Hōkūleʻa will be located on the South side of the harbor at the far end of the dock. Hōkūleʻa’s visit to Māʻalaea is part of the Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail.

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Nainoa Thompson: Tribute to Buffalo Keaulana

Hōkūleʻa and her crew today took a day-sail to visit friends in Makaha at the 42nd Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic. Beyond the ideal weather, waves and fun, crewmembers took the day to honor and appreciate original 1976 Hōkūleʻa crewmember “Buffalo” Keaulana – namesake for the surf contest and icon of Makaha. In fact, the contest this year is being dedicated by Keaulana to the volunteers and crewmembers who helped to make Hōkūleʻa available to more than 4,000 West Oʻahu students when she visited recently in December, 2017.  Getting to the heart of the matter, master navigator and president of Polynesian Voyaging Society Nainoa Thompson took a moment to share his perspective. 

The Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail is essentially based in gratitude – we are thanking those who are making Hawaiʻi and the world a better place – and we are honored today to take Hōkūleʻa to Makaha. It’s the 42nd year of the Buffalo surf contest and to me it represents four decades of commitment and hard work to build better communities on the west side.

We want to honor Richard “Buffalo” Keaulana by recognizing his contributions to Hōkūleʻa and as one of the primary leaders of voyaging in the early years. Especially that first voyage to Tahiti in 1976 when Hōkūleʻa became the first voyaging canoe in 600 years to complete the trip. I was there, and though I wasn’t on the voyage, I was watching from the outside. People were praying for this canoe because they were worried – a voyage like this had not been undertaken in centuries and so there was a lot fear associated with the whole thing.

But there were those who stepped up and provided the leadership to make it happen. There were those like Buffalo and Mau Piailug and the rest of the crew. It was an extraordinary feat and the outcome of that voyage changed everything in the Pacific. It changed the way that the world looks at our history, at our culture, and the way that we as Pacific Islanders look at ourselves. The chronic, debilitating and crushing impacts of low self-worth, no self esteem and being dominated by a larger culture – this was replaced with standing up and being proud of who we are because of knowing where we come from. And where we come from is the best navigators, voyagers and explorers on the face of the earth. That was an overnight change. It was revolutionary. It was the moonshot of our time. And because Buffalo was a leader, it is our turn to humbly bring the spaceship of his ancestors to him, to honor him on his beach at his event.

One of Buffalo’s most amazing and infinite contributions is how he trained his children. A big part of Buffalo’s legacy is the legacy of his son Brian Keaulana, who is hands-down the top water safety officer on the planet. This man has revolutionized water safety around the world and I wonder, through his teachings, how many lives were saved protecting people who can’t protect themselves when they find out how unforgiving the ocean is when they’re not prepared. I would imagine it is in the thousands.

Today’s sail to Makaha is also to share the Keaulana family story so more and more people understand their legacy. It’s important especially for our Hawaiian children, who sometimes look at the world in front of them and assume that it’s someone else’s and that there is not a place for them. For them to look at what the Keaulana family has done by being very smart, courageous, trained and committed and to look at that legacy over four decades… that is a powerful inspiring and hopeful story.

This family is about constantly trying to help our young people be fueled by optimism with inspiration and with hope. Buffalo and his family are the starlight to me on the west side and so we follow him, we honor him and that’s why we are going.

Photos © 2018 Polynesian Voyaging Society, Todd Yamashita

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Pacific Resiliency Fellows – Seeking Emerging Leaders in Hawaiʻi

KUPU, one of our Promise to Pae‘Āina partners and leaders in Hawai’i for youth empowerment in conservation, is launching an exciting new leadership program for early to mid-career professionals.

Kupu is seeking emerging leaders in Hawaii and the broader Pacific to join our first cohort of Pacific Resiliency Fellows (PRF). The program targets early to mid-career conservation and sustainability professionals and community members from across the Pacific region, with the goal of helping to support the development of resilient communities. The program will provide mentorship, networking, field-based learning, and leadership and professional development training and opportunities. Applicants must reside in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Rapa Nui or Palau.

Applications can be submitted online and are due by March 1, 2018

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Hōkūleʻa to Return to Maui on Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail

The next stop on Hōkūleʻa’s Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail will take the legendary voyaging canoe back to the island of Maui for a nearly two-week stop at Mā’alaea Harbor, February 19 to March 2, 2018. Currently docked in Pearl Harbor at Puʻuloa, Hōkūleʻa will depart Rainbow Bay Marina on Saturday, February 17, and make a brief stop in Makaha for the Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic before heading to Maui. Hōkūleʻa is scheduled to arrive at Maʻalaea Harbor at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 19. The canoe and crew will be greeted by the Hui o Waʻa Kaulua, Maui’s voyaging canoe society, and other Maui community cultural groups who will hold a welcome ceremony open to the general public. During the 10-day engagement, the Hōkūleʻa crew will be hosting school tours and public dockside canoe tours. The Grand Wailea also will host a crew panel discussion and Worldwide Voyage film screening on the evening of the canoe’s arrival.

More than one thousand students from 14 different Maui schools, ranging from preschool to high school, will have the opportunity to set foot on the Hōkūleʻa. During the tour they will also hear stories from crew members, learn about traditional wayfinding using the star compass, and try their hand at basic knot tying skills needed on-board. The general public is welcome to tour the vessel the day of arrival and at specific times each weekday and over the weekend. Members of Maui’s voyaging canoe society and crew of the Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani will be conducting the tours of Hōkūleʻa for their community while in Maui, many of whom participated in Hōkūleʻa’s WorldWide Voyage.

“We are honored and excited to welcome Hōkūleʻa back to Maui and Māʻalaea harbor as part of its Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail. The opportunity for the Maui community and so many of Maui’s keiki to connect with the canoe, and become a part of its story, is a great thing and one I know we all are looking forward to,” said Paul Sensano, DLNR Boating Division Maui District Manager.

“I spend all year going to Maui schools and speaking with our students about traditional Hawaiian voyaging so having Hōkūleʻa here and being able to get so many of them actually on the canoe is a dream come true. Just as Hōkūleʻa inspired my father and in turn, myself, I hope that this stop in the sail plan inspires a whole other generation to pick up the torch of wayfinding and voyaging,” said Kala Tanaka, apprentice navigator, Hōkūleʻa crew member, and Moʻokiha o Piʻilani captain.

Parking for arrival day and public tours are available in the Mā’alaea harbor public paid parking stall and the large Maui Harbor Shops parking lot. Hōkūleʻa will be located on the South side of the harbor at the far end of the dock. Below is a schedule of events for the Mā’alaea Harbor engagement.

Mahalo Hawaiʻi, Sail – Ma’alaea, Maui Schedule of Events

*Dates and time are dependent on Safety and Weather.

Monday, February 19

9:00 a.m. – Hōkūleʻa Arrival Ceremony (public open house tours to follow)
Ma’alaea Harbor
Hōkūleʻa and her crew will arrive at Ma’alaea Harbor and will be greeted with protocols and oli.

11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Ma’alaea Harbor

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Hōkūleʻa Panel Discussion and Screening of Worldwide Voyage Highlights
Grand Wailea, Haleakala Ballroom 2/3 (Makena South Entrance)
Hear stories about the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage from Hōkūleʻa’s navigators and crew. Free and open to the public with complimentary valet parking.

Tuesday, February 20 to Friday, February 23

1-3:00 p.m. – Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Ma’alaea Harbor

Saturday, February 24 to Sunday, February 25

9 a.m. – Noon – Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Ma’alaea Harbor

Monday, February 26 to Thursday, March 1

1-3:00 p.m. – Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Ma’alaea Harbor

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Hōkūleʻa Makes Historic First Sail into Pearl Harbor

For the first time in Hōkūleʻa’s 42-year history, the legendary canoe sailed into the waters of Pearl Harbor this morning and was welcomed by the Puʻuloa community, elected officials and the US Navy at Rainbow Bay Marina.

Entering the mouth of Pearl Harbor at approximately 8:00 a.m., the arrival began with a greeting, or rendering honors, between Hōkūleʻa and three Navy ships: the USS Hopper, USS Chafee, and the USS Chung Hoon. Sailors from the three ships stood and saluted from the deck and blew a ceremonial whistle to honor the canoe’s arrival and Hōkūleʻa’s crew responded by blowing a pu (conch shell). The sail into Pearl Harbor continued with Hōkūleʻa sailing and paying respects by blowing the pu and scattering plumeria flowers at cultural and historical site throughout the harbor including Halealoha Halemau (Fort Kamehameha Reburial Platform), USS Nevada, Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, Ford Island, USS Utah, and Loko Paʻaiau Fishpond.

During the brief stop at Loko Paʻaiau Fishpond, a hookupu of fresh fish was handed to a canoe paddler who delivered the special offering to the sacred side. Loko Paʻaiau fishpond is located at McGrew Point Navy housing and is one of only three fishponds out of an original 22 in the Pu’uloa area which are still relatively intact. In September 2014, the Navy invited members of the local Hawaiian civic clubs and ʻAiea community members to begin work on restoring the historic fishpond.

As Hōkūleʻa approached and docked at Rainbow Bay Marina, the crew was welcomed with traditional Hawaiian protocol including chants and a hula performance by Aiea High School. Welcome remarks were made by Rear Adm. Brian Fort, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific; Representative Aaron Johanson; Councilmember Brandon Elefante; and Winston Lum of the Aliʻi Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club.

“Hōkūleʻa’s visit to Puʻuloa fills our hearts with profound gratitude and love,” said Winston Kalina Lum, Sr., Aliʻi Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club board member and genealogical descendant of the early inhabitants of ʻAiea, Kalauao and Keʻehi. “It has been hundreds of years since a voyaging canoe last landed on our shores. As our community works together to preserve our cultural sites and educate our children, the canoe’s presence reminds us that we, too, can bring peace and Aloha to the planet,” he added.

“You honor us by sharing your insights and your wisdom gained during your Malama Honua voyage,” said Rear Adm. Brian Fort, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. “I am a firm believer that the values that unite us are far greater than any distractions that divide us. We are truly inspired by the brave but humble navigators of Hōkūleʻa and the values you cherish and represent. If you ask any of our Navy sailors here about our Navy core values, he or she will tell you honor, courage and commitment. I know that you share these values,” he added.

“The statements made here today are very important: what happens next week, what happens next year, what happens a decade from now,” said Nainoa Thompson, president of PVS. “I hope this is another day that we take one step at a time towards coming together, and working towards renewal together,” he added.

Hōkūleʻa is scheduled to be docked at Rainbow Bay Marina until Saturday, February 17. The week-long engagement will include school visits, public dockside tours and a crew talk story event. As part of the Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, the purpose of Hōkūleʻa’s visit is to bring the canoe to more of Hawaiʻi’s children, honor Pearl Harbor’s ancient culture and history, and to learn about the efforts to restore the area’s cultural sites including Loko Paʻaiau Fishpond. More than 1,000 school children are scheduled to visit Hōkūleʻa and participate in educational activities during her stop at Puʻuloa.

© 2018 Polynesian Voyaging Society, Naʻalehu Anthony

Hawaiʻi, Sail, Pearl Harbor/Puʻuloa Schedule of Events
*Dates and time are dependent on Safety and Weather.

Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Rainbow Bay Marina
Sunday Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekdays Feb. 12 to 16, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Hōkūleʻa Crew Talk Story (Sponsored by Kamehameha Schools ʻEwa Region)
Rainbow Bay Marina Pavilion
Thursday, Feb. 15, 5 to 7 p.m.
Meet crew and community members who will discuss the significance of Hōkūleʻa’s visit to the Puʻuloa to ʻEwa region.

Saturday Feb 17, 7:00 a.m., Hōkūleʻa departs Rainbow Bay Marina

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Hōkūleʻa Update | February 10, 2018: Nainoa Thompson

Today’s update comes to us from none other than master navigator Nainoa Thompson en route to Puʻuloa, more commonly known today as Pearl Harbor. The sail from Sand Island marks a historic first for the 42 year old deep sea voyaging canoe that has never before entered the Puʻuloa harbor area.

“We are here to pay respect to this very special place, to honor the community that is trying to restore the fishponds, and even the oysters and environment. We are here to also bring Hōkūleʻa close to thousands of children from central Oʻahu.”

The short sail came with clear and calm conditions with a brisk but light wind blowing from the north. Crewmembers were in good spirits with all being greeted by the crewmembers of numerous navy vessels as the canoe toured historic sites throughout the harbor including Halealoha Halemau (Fort Kamehameha Reburial Platform), USS Nevada, Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, Ford Island, USS Utah, and Loko Paʻaiau Fishpond.

Photos © 2018 Polynesian Voyaging Society, Todd Yamashita

For additional photos and coverage of Hōkūleʻa’s Pearl Harbor arrival, visit the accompanying story: http://www.hokulea.com/hokulea-makes-historic-first-sail-pearl-harbor

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