Hikianalia’s historic voyage to California is on its return leg home to Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. The crew is almost entirely made up of seasoned voyagers with the a focus on the succession of younger crewmembers filling prominent roles. Haunani Kane will lead navigation alongside apprentice navigators Kaniela Lyman-Merserea, Jason Patterson and Brad Wong. Kaniela and Jason are co-captaining this leg, while Pwo navigator Bruce Blankenfeld will serve as kumu for the entire crew.  Crew selection (see roster below) was based on individual’s volunteer time during  drydock and at outreach events, as well as their dedication to Polynesian voyaging and wayfinding.

According to lead navigator Haunani Kane, the voyage home will be a “straight shot from Point Loma, San Diego to Hilo, Hawaiʻi… approximately 2200 nautical miles heading ʻāina kona, two houses (about 22o degrees) south of west.” She added, “To account for a more northerly current at the beginning of our voyage we will steer half a house north, in between lā and ʻāina kona.”

The return voyage to Hawaiʻi begins in late November and will take crewmembers approximately 2,200 nautical miles west. Navigators plan to use only non-instrument navigation and are challenging themselves to pull Hawaiʻi from the water with precision and confidence. The crew is expected back in Honolulu in mid-December where their homecoming will conclude the Alahula Kai o Maleka Hikianalia California Voyage.