Hikianalia Approaches Honolulu

After 18 days of sailing from San Diego, the crew of Hikianalia spotted northern Oʻahu just after sunrise Tuesday morning. The estimated time that the canoe would arrive at the Marine Education Training Center at Sand Island was sometime between 8 p.m. and midnight that evening.

“We’ve spotted the north side of Oʻahu, just after sunrise and it’s never looked so good.  The wind is still pretty fresh out here and we’re still going to have to work for it, but we are headed your way,” co-captains Kaniela Lyman-Mersereau and Jason Patterson wrote in an email sent that morning from the canoe.  “Mahalo piha for all of your support. Can’t wait to see you guys on the dock.”

In addition to co-captains Kaniela Lyman-Mersereau and Jason Patterson, the crew was also lead by navigator Haunani Kane.

The sail across the Pacific ocean from San Diego to Honolulu completes the  Alahula Kai o Maleka California Voyage, which launched in August. While on the voyage, the crew was able to share the culture and history of traditional Polynesian voyaging with communities along the California coast. According to the Polynesian Voyaging Society, the voyage was meant to promote environmental stewardship.

Hikianalia departed from Honolulu on Aug. 18 and arrived at Half Moon Bay in California on Sept. 10.  While in California, the canoe made stops in San Francisco, Sausalito, Monterey, Ventura County, Redondo Beach, Catalina Island and Orange County before making a final stop in San Diego.  While in San Francisco, the voyagers were able to talk about ocean stewardship at the Global Climate Action Summit. The crew also participated in other events focused on environmental and cultural preservation throughout the voyage.

Each port stop began with an arrival ceremony hosted by the indigenous and local communities of the area.  The crew engaged with thousands of people along the coast of California through public presentations, school visits, and dockside canoe tours to share the history of Polynesian voyaging and the mission of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

More information on the Alahula Kai o Maleka California voyage can be found online.