Culture,  Hawaii Island 2018 Jan-Feb,  Ocean

Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail

Nakua Konohia-Lind, who was elevated to captain for Hōkūle‘a’s Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail into Hāna, Maui. photo © 2017 by Kaipo Kiaha
Nakua Konohia-Lind, who was elevated to captain for Hōkūle‘a’s Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail into Hāna, Maui. photo © 2017 by Kaipo Kiaha

The Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail continued in November and December, 2017 to thank Hawai‘i’s people, bringing Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia home to all of Hawai‘i. They shared lessons learned from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, and deepen the organization’s connection and understanding of the important work being done here in the islands to care for the earth.

Hōkūle‘a at Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i during the Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail. photo © 2017 Polynesian Voyaging Society, by Todd Yamashita
Hōkūle‘a at Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i during the Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail. photo © 2017 Polynesian Voyaging Society, by Todd Yamashita

November 17, Hōkūle‘a and her crew joined Nā Mamo O Mū‘olea and East Maui communities in celebrating the 9th Annual Limu Festival, a community event organized by Hāna residents to celebrate the many aspects of healthy shoreline ecosystem, from limu (seaweed), to seabirds, to fish and more. Local students and keiki greeted Hōkūle‘a as she entered Hāna Bay Harbor.

November 20, Kicking off a week-long visit to the Friendly Isle, crewmembers aboard Hōkūle‘a arrived on Moloka‘i yesterday evening after sailing approximately 12 hours and 90 nautical miles from Hāna, Maui. Greeted by family and community members, the voyagers’ arrival was the start of a week of community events. While in Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i, Hōkūle‘a welcomed more than 1,500 students, community members and visitors to her deck.

November 29, Hōkūle‘a departed Moloka‘i and arrived on O‘ahu at the Marine Education Training Center at Sand Island, where crew members prepared the canoe for the Wai‘anae engagement at Poka‘i Bay, December 6–21.

Ke Ola Magazine will continue to follow Hōkūle‘a and the Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail. ❖


For more information and the schedule of future ports, visit: Hokulea.com.