By the time Hōkūleʻa departs this week from Molokai, she will have hosted more than 1,100 visitors – nearly one sixth the island’s population!

Successful outreach efforts like these have everything to do with the ʻohana of volunteers who have given many hours to make sure local youth and residents have the chance to visit with Hawaiʻi’s famous canoe.

Penny Martin is a crewmember from Hōkūleʻa’s original 1976 voyage return from Tahiti, and she has dedicated the past 40 years of her life since then inspiring youth appreciation for Hawaiian culture and the environment.

Penny has spent weeks of planning alongside other Molokai crewmembers to ensure that every school on the island had arrangements to visit not only Hōkūleʻa, but also participate in a number of outreach activities.

Educational partners from Hōkūleʻa’s Molokai visit include Papahana Kuaola, Kahikai, University of Hawaiʻi, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Alaka`ina Digital Bus and of course, Polynesian Voyaging Society.

A big mahalo to Penny and all of our local crewmembers Kawika Crivello, Kekama Helm, Mahinahou Ross, Keoki Pescaia, Eric Co, Lohiao Paoa, Todd Yamashita and their ʻohana for their tireless efforts sharing Hōkūleʻa with Molokai during the Mahalo Hawaiʻi, Sail!

Photos and video © 2017 Polynesian Voyaging Society, Todd Yamashita

For supporting the legacy of Hōkūleʻa

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