Hōkūleʻa Worldwide Voyage Presentation Tonight

Hōkūleʻa at Māʻalaea. Photo courtesy of Jordan Smith.

By Wendy Osher

The Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa will remain docked at Māʻalaea on Maui through tomorrow, before continuing on its journey around the Hawaiian islands.

The public is invited to visit the vessel through Thursday, June 27 at Māʻalaea, before it departs for its next stop in Lahaina. Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 5 p.m.

The crew of the vessel will also host a community presentation tonight, June 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Kīhei.

During the presentation, apprentice navigator Kaʻiulani Murphy and crew members from Hui O Waʻa Kaulua, ʻOhana Waʻa, and Polynesian Voyaging Society will share stories about the vessel’s worldwide voyage, as well as cultural practices, resource management, and leadership.

PVS officials say Mālama Hawaiʻi is the first leg of the voyage, in which navigators are paying respect to communities throughout the state before embarking on a voyage to the south pacific in May of 2014.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society released a schedule of anticipated stops for the Hōkūleʻa over the next several weeks. The schedule is subject to change due to weather and safety conditions.

The schedule includes navigation around Maui Nui through the end of August. Maui Nui stops include the following tentative dates:

• Through June 27: Māʻalaea, Maui
• June 28 – Jul 1:  Lahaina, Maui
• July 1 – 3:  Kealaikahiki, Kahoʻolawe
• July 3 – 8:  Mānele, Lānaʻi
• July 8 – 15: Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi
• August 16 – 18:  Hāna, Maui
• August 18 – 19:  Honolua, Maui
• August 19 – 20:  Kalaupapa, Molokaʻi
• August 20 – 23:  Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi