Leg 3: Tahiti to Sāmoa

< 2014 Sāmoa

The international portion of the Worldwide Voyage began with a return to Tahiti, Hōkūleʻa’s second home. We paid tribute to the founding teachers that made our modern voyage possible: Mau Piailug, Eddie Aikau, Lacy Veach, Herb Kane, Pinky Thompson, and Will Kyselka, among others. We paid our respects to our Pacific cousins, with whom we share our routes and our origins, and from whom we continue to learn. For the first time in 18 years, we returned Hōkūleʻa to the beach that was given her name in Papeʻete. Residents of the fishing village there teach us about extraordinary kindness and compassion through their everyday actions. It is a kindness and mutual respect that will help establish the new generation of relationships between youth in Hawaiʻi and Tahiti. The island of Raiatea is a sacred site for perpetuating Polynesian navigation throughout the Pacific Ocean. The original name for Taputapuātea is “Hawaiʻi Iki,” a place that served as a school of wayfinding. Navigators learned to carefully study and revere nature for direction, and to value exploration and connection.

Crewmember Roster

Hōkūle‘a

Heidi Guth

Kalani Kahalioumi

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 19961018

Keala Kahuanui

Cook

PVS Member since 20001101

Mike Manu

PVS Member since 19921105

ʻĀina Paikai

Billy Richards

PVS Member since 19751009

Mahina Richards

Kaniela Anakalea-Buckley

Apprentice

PVS Member since 20051004

Kala Thomas

John Kruse

Keala Kai

Safety Officer

PVS Member since 20051103

Galen Macanas

PVS Member since 20101111

Chadd ‘Ōnohi Paishon

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19901115

Lei’ohu Santos-Colburn

Bonnie Kahapea-Tanner

Apprentice Navigator

PVS Member since 19971003

Tua Pittman

Pwo Master Navigator

Kaimana Barcarse

Apprentice Navigator

PVS Member since 20001001

Hikianalia

Kalepa Baybayan

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19750101

Ah Lun Yung

Archie Kalepa

Rescue Swimmer

PVS Member since 19921001

Maulili Dickson

Quartermaster, Cook

PVS Member since 19761010

Galen Macanas

PVS Member since 20101111

Henani Enos

Saki Uchida

Assistant Quartermaster

PVS Member since 20071031

Mahina Richards

Kala Tanaka

Apprentice Navigator

Scott Kanda

Photographer

PVS Member since 20001109

Snake Ah Hee

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 19751009

Keala Kimura

Watch Captain, Fisherman, Plumber

PVS Member since 20041111

Haunani Keamo

Education Specialist

Tava Taupu

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 19751108

Dr. Marjorie Mau

Medical Officer

PVS Member since 20071019

Dr. Dee-Ann Leialoha Carpenter

Medical Officer

PVS Member since 20141002

Tua Pittman

Pwo Master Navigator

Ben Dumaran

Watch captain and repairs

PVS Member since 19971010

Peia Patai

Pwo Master Navigator

Stories, Blogs, and Galleries from this Leg:

More from this voyage leg

Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: The Navigatorʻs Journey
October 16, 2014 inCrew Blogs Leadership Voyaging
For myself, it has been a great pleasure meeting old friends as we sailed across the central Pacific and to introduce new crew members to the many island communities we visited.
Mahimahi Breakfast
September 9, 2014 inVoyaging
Hōkūleʻa crewmembers are blessed with a mahimahi during the journey from Samoa to Tokelau.
Wyland Wall: Pago Pago
September 3, 2014 inVideo Stories
Inspired by the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, renowned artist Wyland leaves his mark in Pago Pago.
Bright Spots
September 3, 2014 inFeatured Leadership Malama Honua Selects Video Stories
New ways of thinking are shared at the Bright Spots Exchange.