Hōkūleʻa Update | Charleston Community Outreach
Since arriving in Charleston, SC on Thursday, April 14, the Hōkūleʻa crew spent three days connecting with the community by visiting students at Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School, conducting canoe tours at Charleston Maritime Center and participating in the 26th annual Charleston Outdoor Festival where Hōkūleʻa Captain and pwo navigator Bruce Blankenfeld made a keynote presentation at its East Coast Sea Kayak Symposium. The legendary canoe departed Charleston this morning to continue her sail up the East Coast.
“Throughout our three days in Charleston we were able to share our messages of Mālama Honua and cultural and environmental sustainability with hundreds of people in the community,” said Blankenfeld. “We are very thankful to the Charleston community for welcoming our crew and giving us this opportunity to engage with so many residents and students,” he added.
The Charleston Outdoor Festival was held from Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17, at James Island County Park. In addition to conducting canoe tours, the Polynesian Voyaging Society also had a Worldwide Voyage information booth at the event. The festival also features the East Coast Sea Kayak Symposium, where Blankenfeld was the keynote speaker sharing experiences from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage. The symposium was a three-day immersion in the history, technique, hands-on experience, and fun of kayaking, canoeing, SUP and other paddlesports topics.
Organized by the Charleston County Park and Recreational Commission, the Charleston Outdoor Festival brings together enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels with world-renowned instructors and sports equipment manufacturers. The three-day event also includes a multitude of activities like mountain biking, slack lining, archery, climbing, and disc golf. For more information on the festival, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.
Hōkūleʻa was greeted with an arrival ceremony when the canoe arrived on April 14, at the Charleston Maritime Center. Various chiefs from native American tribes in the area and other community leaders attended the ceremony to welcome the canoe’s momentous arrival to South Carolina. The Charleston destination marks another first in Hōkūleʻa’s sailing history. Hōkūle`a’s next scheduled engagement will at Newport News, VA, on April 23.
For Hōkūleʻa’s most up-to-date schedule, visit http://www.hokulea.com/hokuleas-planned-east-coast-port-stops/
To follow the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, visit http://hokulea.com/track-the-voyage
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.
