October 8: Hikianalia on her Way Home to Hawai‘i

Hikianalia departed Salthouse Boat Builders, Greenhithe, New Zealand at 1:30 pm, Tuesday, October 9, 2012 (New Zealand daylight savings time) or 2:30 HST, Monday, October 8, 2012.  We are sailing together with Faafaite, the Tahitian voyaging canoe, to Papeete, Tahiti, where a crew change will take place before Hikianalia voyages home to Hawai‘i.

Faafaite. Photo from the Pacific Voyagers Website.  Hikianalia is of a similar design.

Hikianalia cleared customs and immigration between 3 and 3:30 NZ DST and we are awaiting Faafaite’s clearance.  We will depart Aotearoa with Faafaite.

Hikianalia’s regular morning and evening reports will begin tonight, and will appear on the Hikianalia tracking map, under the “Hikianalia: Aotearoa to Hawai’i” in the top menu bar

Vessels and crews are in good shape.  We are confident and delighted to be headed home.

Prior to sailing from Aotearoa, Hikianalia was blessed with a wonderful gift.  The Tuwharetoa iwi (lineage) presented her with this ki’i of their ancestor, Tongariro.  This gift and blessing commemorates the ancient relationship and kinship of the Tuwharetoa and the Hawaiian people.

Tongariro will provide mana and guidance to Hikianalia in all her travels.  Tongariro’s position in the Captain’s hale on deck is facing forward on the akea (male) hull.

PVS is respectfully grateful for this amazing gift and deeply aware of our kuleana in caring for and protecting him.

Mahalo for all your support and aloha nui, Bruce and the crew