Hōkūle‘a’s Natal Arrival to Mark 1st Time on South America Continent

The Polynesian voyaging canoe, Hōkūle‘a, departed yesterday from Fernando de Noronha following a four day stop, and is now headed to Natal, Rio Grande do Norte.  The Natal stop, located in northeastern Brazil, will mark the first visit to the South America continent.  The 241 mile journey to Natal is currently underway and is expected to take approximately two days to complete.

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During their stay in Fernando de Noronha, the Polynesian Voyaging Society reports that crew members were able to learn about efforts to protect the marine life and other natural resources of the pristine island.

After the upcoming stop in Brazil, Hōkūle‘a will continue the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage by making stops at several ports in the Caribbean before sailing north and visiting cities along the East Coast of the United States. The Polynesian Voyaging Society reports that the vessel is scheduled to arrive in New York City by June 8, 2016 to celebrate World Oceans Day.

“Since departing Hawaiian waters in May 2014, Hōkūle‘a has sailed more than 20,000 nautical miles and made stops in 11 countries and 46 ports, weaving a “Lei of Hope” around the world,” according to the PVS

“Along the way, more than 160 volunteer crewmembers have helped to sail Hōkūle‘a accompanied by escort vessel Gershon II to spread the message of mālama honua (or taking care of Island Earth) by promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness, as well as exchanging ideas with the countries she has visited. So far, crew members have connected with over 45,000 people in communities across the South Pacific, Tasman Sea and Indian Ocean including Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Australia, Indonesia, Mauritius and South Africa,” the PVS announced.

Hōkūle‘a first set out on the Pacific Ocean in 1975. Since then, she has traveled to multiple countries across the globe, “reawakening a Hawaiian cultural renaissance in the process through reviving the traditional art of wayfinding – navigating the sea through means of using natural resources like ocean swells, stars, and wind,” according to the PVS.