KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island residents will have the opportunity to see and engage with Hokulea and her crew when she returns to the island later this month for the first time since 2014 after she departed Hilo for the three-year Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage.
Hokulea is set to commence the “Mahalo, Hawaii” sail from Polynesian Voyaging Society headquarters in Sand Island, Honolulu, to Hawaii Island as early as March 22, depending on weather conditions.
The first stop will be Milolii where the canoe is expected to make her arrival on March 25.
The following day, Hokulea is scheduled to depart for Kona where she will be moored through the end of March.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 30 and 31, the public is invited to meet crewmembers and hear stories, as well as tour the canoe and check out an education expo. Admission is free.
Throughout the month of April, the canoe will be in Hilo. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 21, the public is invited to meet crewmembers and hear stories, as well as tour the canoe and check out an education expo, at Wailoa Harbor. Admission is free.
Hokule‘a then will spend time in Kawaihae through the first week in May, after which time the canoe and crew will return to Oahu.
During the March through May visit, residents can expect crew presentations and talk story sessions, open house canoe tours, volunteer stewardship opportunities and other family friendly events, all free to the public.
The Mahalo, Hawaii sail brings Hokulea and Hikianalia back home to all of Hawaii, in recognition and celebration of the contributions families, employers, and communities made to help take Hokulea and Hikianalia across the world’s ocean.
The Polynesian Voyaging Society will also be engaging thousands of public and private school students with canoe visits and hands-on educational activities custom tailored to every age that highlight wayfinding and voyaging through the lenses of math, science, conservation and culture.