Polynesian Voyaging Society Launches Hōkūleʻa’s Mahalo, Hawai’i Sail
Hōkūleʻa departed the Marine Education Training Center (METC) at Sand Island today to begin the Mahalo, Hawai’i Sail. The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) announced some of the stops that the canoe will be making during this six-month voyage throughout the Hawaiian Islands:
Mahalo, Hawai’i Sail
*Ports and dates are subject to change
- August-September: Maui (Honolua), Oʻahu (Haleʻiwa), Kauaʻi (ports TBD)
- October: Hawaiʻi Island (ports TBD), Maui (Hana)
- November: Maui (Maʻalaea/Wailea), Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi
- Late-November to mid-December:Oʻahu (Windward)
- January: Oʻahu (Leeward, East and South)
The Mahalo, Hawai’i Sail will give PVS an opportunity to thank Hawaiʻi’s people, bring Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia home to all of Hawaiʻi, share lessons learned from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and deepen the organization’s connection and understanding of the important work being done here in the islands to care for the earth. During the port visits, PVS will engage with schools and organizations through outreach events, service projects, crew presentations and canoe tours.
The first stop will be at Honolua Bay, Maui, where Hōkūleʻa first departed on her maiden voyage to Tahiti in 1976. The crew will begin to mahalo and mālama Hawai’i by participating in the planting of 1,000 koa seedlings as part of a series of community engagement events in West Maui. In partnership with the Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc. through the conservation department of the Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve, State of Hawaiʻi DLNR, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi and Kamehameha Schools Maui, Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia crew
members will be engaging with schools and the community in West Maui where they are scheduled to conduct presentations and canoe tours (see detailed schedule below).
Voyaging canoe Hikianalia is scheduled to depart Sand Island on Friday, August 18, and will join Hōkūleʻa at Honolua Bay on Saturday, August 19.
Honolua Bay Engagement Schedule (Events are free and open to the public):
*All dates and times schedule to change
Thursday, August 17
- 4 pm Hōkūleʻa arrives at Honolua Bay, Honolua Bay Ramp
- 6 pm Huliau Film & Lecture Series presents Ola ʻo Maui Nui featuring speakers from the 1976 Voyage and Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage crew at Kamehameha Schools Maui, Keōpūolani Hale
Friday, August 18
9:30-12:30 pm Kamehameha Schools Maui students and teachers visit with Hōkūleʻa crew at Honolua for informational activities and service project
- 6:30 pm Crew Talk Story at Westin Nanea (Participating crew members: Max Yarawamai, Archie Kalepa, Lehua Kamalu and Billy Richards)
6:30-8:00 pm Crew Talk Story at Kaanapali Beach Hotel (Participating crew members: Mark Ellis, Kekaimalu Lee, Kaʻiulani Murphy and Pua Lincoln)
Saturday, August 19
- 8-8:30 am Cultural welcome at Honolua Bay
- 9 am-5 pm Informational activities
- 10:30 am-1 pm Planting of koa and native plants with Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve makai conservation area. For information, visit puukukui.org
- 2-5 pm Public canoe tours and informational activities at Honolua Bay Ramp
- 7 pm Hōkūleʻa Revisted: 1976 Crew Member Talk at Ritz Carlton Kapalua (Participating crew members: Buffalo Keaulana, Snake Ah Hee, Billy Richards, John Kruse, Gordon Piʻianaia, Penny Martin, Kimo Lyman, Marion Lyman-Mersereau, Makaala Yates and Kainoa Lee)
Sunday, August 20
- 8 am-5 pm Public canoe tours at Honolua Bay Ramp
- TBD Crew Talk at Sheraton Maui (Puu Kukui Watershed representatives and and Hōkūleʻa crew)
- 6:30 pm Crew Talk at Montage Kapalua Bay (Participating crew members: Kalepa Baybayan, Kalā Tanaka and Austin Kino
