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< Leg 5: Samoa to Aotearoa 2015 Australia >

2014 Aotearoa

< Leg 6: Waitangi to Auckland

Nā Waka: A tribe returning home

In October of 2014 Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia departed American Sāmoa for Aotearoa (New Zealand). Crewmembers aboard Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia sailed through Vavaʻu Island group in the Kingdom of Tonga, then past the Kermadec Islands before reaching Aotearoa.

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia crewmembers, which also include two Maori voyagers from Aotearoa, had sailed for approximately 1,500 nautical miles through the Pacific before reaching their destination. These crewmembers are part of the journey that returns Hōkūleʻa to Aotearoa for the first time since 1985. Hikianalia was built in Aotearoa in 2012.

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia arrived in Aotearoa and were celebrated in Waitangi on November 15, 2014. Crewmembers’ arrival to the region commemorates nearly thirty years since Hōkūleʻa first voyaged to Waitangi, Aotearoa. There, Māori elders have shared that the genealogy of all Māori in Aotearoa is traced back to five canoes. Upon Hōkūleʻa’s arrival in 1985, they recognized her as the sixth canoe carrying the sixth tribe, thus, the theme of the Sāmoa-New Zealand voyage of 2014 is Nā Waka: A tribe returning home.

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Crewmember Roster

Leg 5: Samoa to Aotearoa

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia Leg 5 crewmembers, which included two Maori voyagers from Aotearoa, sailed approximately 1,500 nautical miles through the Pacific Ocean from Samoa before reaching their destination in Aotearoa. Read more

Hōkūle‘a

Bruce Blankenfeld

Bruce Blankenfeld

Pwo Navigator

PVS Member since 19771031

Kalisi Mausio

Kalisi Mausio

Tonga Cultural Representative

PVS Member since 20091031

Suzette Hau’oli Smith-Gurtler

Suzette Hau’oli Smith-Gurtler

First Mate

PVS Member since 19921031

Kaʻiulani Murphy

Kaʻiulani Murphy

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 19971031

Kaleo Wong

Kaleo Wong

Co-Captain, Navigation Team

PVS Member since 19991031

Melvin “Mel” Paoa

Melvin “Mel” Paoa

Medical Liaison

PVS Member since 19771031

George Keoki Pescaia

George Keoki Pescaia

Crewmember

PVS Member since 20031031

Wallace Wong

Wallace Wong

Electrician

PVS Member since 19921031

Mahina Hou Ross

Mahina Hou Ross

Education Specialist

PVS Member since 19981031

Pomai Bertelmann

Pomai Bertelmann

Education Specialist

Nicholas Kaipara Marr

Nicholas Kaipara Marr

Maori Cultural Representative

PVS Member since 20021031

John Webster Thatcher (Jacko)

John Webster Thatcher (Jacko)

Maori Cultural Representative

PVS Member since 19941031

Nāʻālehu Anthony

Nāʻālehu Anthony

Media Specialist

PVS Member since 19951031

Kaniela Hoku Lyman-Mersereau

Kaniela Hoku Lyman-Mersereau

Co-Captain, Navigation Team

PVS Member since 20081031

Frank “Frankie” Kawe

Frank “Frankie” Kawe

Maori Cultural Representative

PVS Member since 19951031

Moani Keala Heimuli

Moani Keala Heimuli

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 20071031

Hikianalia

Robert “Bob” Perkins

Robert “Bob” Perkins

Senior Captain / First Mate

PVS Member since 20001031

Ryan Hanohano

Ryan Hanohano

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 20131031

Nicole “Niki” Puʻuwailani Kamalu

Nicole “Niki” Puʻuwailani Kamalu

Electronic Technician

PVS Member since 20091031

Mark Ellis

Mark Ellis

Captain

PVS Member since 20071031

Keli Takenaga

Keli Takenaga

Quartermaster

PVS Member since 19951031

Darienne Dey

Darienne Dey

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 20121031

Heather Nahaku Kalei

Heather Nahaku Kalei

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 20091031

Kekaimalu Lee

Kekaimalu Lee

Cultural Protocol

PVS Member since 20131031

Catherine “Cat” Fuller

Catherine “Cat” Fuller

Watch captain

PVS Member since 19941031

Miki Kiyomi Tomita

Miki Kiyomi Tomita

Education Specialist

PVS Member since 20131031

Steve Granada

Steve Granada

Medical Officer

PVS Member since 20121031

Justyn “Kaʻolonā” Ah Chong

Justyn “Kaʻolonā” Ah Chong

Documentation

PVS Member since 20121031

Saki Uchida

Saki Uchida

Assistant Quartermaster

PVS Member since 20071031

Toiora Hawira

Toiora Hawira

Katherine “Kat” Lobendahn

Katherine “Kat” Lobendahn

Tonga Cultural Representative

PVS Member since 20121031

Leg 6: Waitangi to Auckland

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia arrived in Aotearoa November, 2014. Crewmembers’ voyage through the North and South islands commemorated nearly thirty years since Hōkūleʻa first voyaged to Aotearoa. Read more

Hōkūle‘a

Bruce Blankenfeld

Bruce Blankenfeld

Pwo Navigator

PVS Member since 19771031

Gordon Piʻianaia

Gordon Piʻianaia

Captain

PVS Member since 19761201

Harry Ho

Harry Ho

Kaʻohi Kamalu

Kaʻohi Kamalu

Martina Kamaka

Martina Kamaka

ʻĀina Paikai

ʻĀina Paikai

Attwood Makanani

Attwood Makanani

Toiora Hawira

Toiora Hawira

Moani Keala Heimuli

Moani Keala Heimuli

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 20071031

Suzette Hau’oli Smith-Gurtler

Suzette Hau’oli Smith-Gurtler

First Mate

PVS Member since 19921031

Stuart Coleman

Stuart Coleman

Dennis Chun

Dennis Chun

Billy Richards

Billy Richards

PVS Member since 19751009

Evan Rapoport

Evan Rapoport

Buddy McGuire

Buddy McGuire

PVS Member since 19770101

Hikianalia

Kalepa Baybayan

Kalepa Baybayan

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19750101

Alvin Parker

Alvin Parker

Saki Uchida

Saki Uchida

Assistant Quartermaster

PVS Member since 20071031

Matt Kanemoto

Matt Kanemoto

Kaipo Kiaha

Kaipo Kiaha

Leionaona Wong

Leionaona Wong

Daniel Lin

Daniel Lin

Marcel Honore

Marcel Honore

Sam Low

Sam Low

Journalist and Historian

Chadd ‘Ōnohi Paishon

Chadd ‘Ōnohi Paishon

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19901115

Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor

Kate Souness

Kate Souness

Haimona Brown

Haimona Brown

Leg 7: Auckland to Wellington

Hōkūle‘a

Nainoa Thompson

Nainoa Thompson

Pwo Navigator

PVS Member since 19750131

Kalepa Baybayan

Kalepa Baybayan

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19750101

Haimona Brown

Haimona Brown

Timi Gilliom

Timi Gilliom

Fisherman

PVS Member since 19961002

Kaleiʻōpio Guth

Kaleiʻōpio Guth

Kaiwi Hāmākua-Mākuʻe

Kaiwi Hāmākua-Mākuʻe

Lehua Kamalu

Lehua Kamalu

Apprentice Navigator

PVS Member since 20091201

Noe Kamalu

Noe Kamalu

Educational Specialist

PVS Member since 2009

Frank “Frankie” Kawe

Frank “Frankie” Kawe

Maori Cultural Representative

PVS Member since 19951031

Austin Kino

Austin Kino

Apprentice navigator

Nakua Konohia-Lind

Nakua Konohia-Lind

ʻĀina Paikai

ʻĀina Paikai

Jason Patterson

Jason Patterson

Co-Captain, Navigation Team

Dr. Nathan Wong

Dr. Nathan Wong

Kelli Kawhia-Conrad

Kelli Kawhia-Conrad

Leg 8: Wellington to Auckland

Hōkūle‘a

Kalepa Baybayan

Kalepa Baybayan

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19750101

Austin Kino

Austin Kino

Apprentice navigator

Nakua Konohia-Lind

Nakua Konohia-Lind

Joseph Mallott

Joseph Mallott

Jason Patterson

Jason Patterson

Co-Captain, Navigation Team

Dr. Vernon Ansdell

Dr. Vernon Ansdell

Christina Conrad

Christina Conrad

Leg 9: Auckland

Hōkūle‘a

Ryan Hanohano

Ryan Hanohano

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 20131031

Justyn “Kaʻolonā” Ah Chong

Justyn “Kaʻolonā” Ah Chong

Documentation

PVS Member since 20121031

Linda Furuto

Linda Furuto

Kalepa Baybayan

Kalepa Baybayan

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19750101

Jenna Ishii

Jenna Ishii

Apprentice Navigator

PVS Member since 20080601

Miki Kiyomi Tomita

Miki Kiyomi Tomita

Education Specialist

PVS Member since 20131031

Nainoa Thompson

Nainoa Thompson

Pwo Navigator

PVS Member since 19750131

Pomai Bertelmann

Pomai Bertelmann

Education Specialist

Tara O’Neill

Tara O’Neill

Michelle Kapana-Baird

Michelle Kapana-Baird

Education Specialist

Keoni Kuoha

Keoni Kuoha

Cultural Protocol Specialist

Diane Tom-Ogata

Diane Tom-Ogata

Education Specialist

Sam ʻOhu Gon III

Sam ʻOhu Gon III

Naturalist

Barbara Blake

Barbara Blake

Education & Outreach

Dennis Kawaharada

Dennis Kawaharada

Historian and Documentor

Leg 10 – Auckland to Aurere

Hōkūle‘a

Nainoa Thompson

Nainoa Thompson

Pwo Navigator

PVS Member since 19750131

Chadd ‘Ōnohi Paishon

Chadd ‘Ōnohi Paishon

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19901115

Clyde Aikau

Clyde Aikau

Lehua Kamalu

Lehua Kamalu

Apprentice Navigator

PVS Member since 20091201

Keahi Omai

Keahi Omai

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 19891014

Kimo Moncrief

Kimo Moncrief

Billy Richards

Billy Richards

PVS Member since 19751009

Henk Rogers

Henk Rogers

Julie Rogers

Julie Rogers

Maui Tauotaha

Maui Tauotaha

Documentation

Cameron Murray

Cameron Murray

Escort Vessel, Electrician and Engineer on all vessels (Hoku, Hiki, Tranquility & Gershon)

PVS Member since 19760901

Stories, Blogs, and Galleries from this Leg:

More from this voyage leg
  • Meet the Gershon II

    June 2, 2015 inCrew Blogs
    Written by Miguel Castrence  I have the unique privilege to serve as a crewmember on the Read more
  • Update | Aloha from Mark Towill

    March 12, 2015 inNewsletterTeachersUpdates
    Mark Towill, racer and general manager of the Volvo Ocean Race's Team Alvimedica, joins the Worldwide Voyage on a training sail onboard Hikianalia.
  • Update | Hōkūleʻa Returns to the Ocean

    March 11, 2015 inNewsletterTeachersUpdates
    "Hōkūleʻa looks beautiful and is ready to get back in the ocean and continue sailing."
  • Crew Blog | Ryan Hanohano: Make Ready

    March 10, 2015 inCrew BlogsMediaNewsletterTeachers
    "Growth happens when opportunities are given to us that require us to stretch beyond what we already know."
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