From our team of crewmembers, navigators and staff here at the Polynesian Voyaging Society, we’d like to share with you a gift of hope and inspiration during this holiday season!

As we celebrate with our loved ones, crewmembers aboard Hōkūleʻa are celebrating Christmas Day at sea while in transit to Panama where they will clear customs before crossing the Panama Canal. With approximately a week to go before Hōkūleʻa reaches Panama, the crew took the opportunity to decorate the canoe with festive trimmings to get into the holiday spirit.

“Not many people get to celebrate the holidays while at sea on the deck of Hōkūleʻa during this epic around-the-world voyage,” said Hōkūleʻa captain, Bruce Blankenfeld. “As much as we’d love to be home in Hawaii with our loved ones at this time of year, we are all truly honored to be sailing Hōkūleʻa to share our Mālama Honua message with communities around the world.”

Hōkūleʻa sailed along the coast of Cuba today and will arrive in Panama around December 31st, where the crew will ring in the new year. Once she re-enters the Pacific Ocean, Hōkūleʻa will make stops in the Galapagos Islands, Rapa Nui and French Polynesia before sailing back for the celebratory homecoming at Magic Island in June of 2017.

Since departing Hawaiian waters in May 2014, Hōkūle‘a has sailed more than 28,000 nautical miles and made stops in 15 countries and approximately 150 ports. Here’s to their safe return and to you and yours during this holiday season!

Me ke aloha,
Polynesian Voyaging Society ʻohana

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