Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail
Poka‘i Bay, Wai‘anae, O‘ahu was the next stop on the Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail voyage by Hōkūle‘a. Arriving on December 9, 2017, the canoe spent nearly 15 days at Poka‘i Bay where they were welcomed by all eleven schools of the Wai‘anae complex area and others in Central and Ewa region, in addition to hundreds of ‘ohana (family) and malihini (visitors) in the community.
The west side stop also was an opportunity to celebrate voyaging and community leaders, young and old, from the Wai‘anae area, including 1976 Hōkūle‘a crew member Buffalo Keaulana.
Hōkūle‘a celebrated the new year of her Mahalo, Hawai‘i tour with two January engagements at Ko Olina Resort. The legendary voyaging canoe docked at Ko Olina Marina from January 3–10, and returned for a second visit January 21–February 3, 2018. During the two engagements, the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Ko Olina welcomed the general public and school groups to the marina to tour the canoe, meet crewmembers, and participate in events highlighting the recent Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and the 42-year history and legacy of Hōkūle‘a.
“We want to give all of Hawai‘i’s children and communities an opportunity to step on the deck of Hōkūle‘a and be a part of our voyages,” said Nainoa Thompson, president of Polynesian Voyaging Society. “This stop at Ko Olina will allow thousands of students, residents and visitors to visit the canoe and crew, learn about voyaging, and bring light to the community of Ko Olina and West O‘ahu to elevate the work being done to perpetuate culture, environment and education through multiple pathways,” he added.
Ke Ola Magazine will continue to follow Hōkūle‘a and the Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail. ❖
Photos courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society.
For the most up to date information of the Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail visit: hokulea.com
