The Worldwide Voyage of Hōkūle‘a

Mālama Honua Update

The iconic Hōkūle‘a sailing canoe is now making her way back to Hawai‘i for a triumphant homecoming in June of this year through the middle of the Pacific. This is following a brief period of drydock at the Mariner’s Museum in Newport

News, Virginia late last year, when visitors flocked to greet her and learn about Polynesian voyaging for the first time. Many along this journey had never seen a real Hawaiian canoe, or wa‘a, as Hawaiians say, so the crew spent much time educating the public and sharing the spirit of Aloha, building bridges and making memories that will last a lifetime. In his captain’s crew blog, Captain Kapela Babayan talks about his experiences on this leg of the voyage: “There are many to thank for the tremendous opportunity afforded the members of Leg 23, where we took a circuitous route 853 nautical miles to the northern freshwater lakes of Oneida and Ontario of the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, and transited 61 canal locks to learn about the cold water systems of our planet. We visited the border country of Canada and its two provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and toured upper New York state and Vermont. We were so blessed to be able to come to know our planet in a very intimate way, through the incredible kindness and generosity of the people and communities we were able to meet. Of note, a special thanks to the communities of Khanawake and Westport, the lock masters of the Eerie, Chambly, and Champlain Locks, and to the many people who brought gifts of food and friendship to the canoe and crew.”

On November 7, 2016, Hōkūle‘a, with crew on hand, was lifted into the water, towed to Bluewater Marina, and smoothly docked by experienced crew and navigator Bruce Blankenfeld. Within a few hours, Hōkūle‘a transformed from a seemingly simple craft to an alluring vision, with masts, spars & boom erected proudly and lines draped. After 1100 miles and 16 stops, Hōkūle‘a arrived in Miami on December 8, 2016.