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Hōkūle’a Welcome on R/V Sea Explorer
November 4, 2023 @ 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Welcome the Hōkūle’a from onboard the R/V Sea Explorer!
Tickets are $20 a person and also include access to the sold-out welcome ceremony!
3:00pm – Board the R/V Sea Explorer
- We will go out to the harbor entrance to welcome the Hokule’a and escort them back to the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center dock at the Ocean Institute!
5:00 pm – Welcome Ceremony inside Ocean Institute
- Enter our facility to claim a spot at the welcome ceremony, that will include speeches and cultural performances!
About Hōkūleʻa and the Moananuiākea Voyage:
The Hōkūleʻa is a symbol of the Hawaiian cultural renaissance and a vessel that pays homage to the ancient Polynesian navigators who used the stars, winds, and natural signs to navigate the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The Hōkūleʻa has been instrumental in reviving and preserving traditional Polynesian navigation techniques.
The Moananuiākea Voyage was an expedition that began in 2013 and aimed to sail around the world using traditional navigation methods. The voyage sought to promote environmental sustainability and raise awareness about the importance of protecting the world’s oceans. It also aimed to reconnect indigenous communities across the Pacific and share knowledge about traditional navigation and stewardship of the ocean.
On March 8, 1975, Hōkūle‘a, a performance-accurate deep sea voyaging canoe built in the tradition of ancient Hawaiian wa‘a kaulua (double-hulled voyaging canoe), was launched from the sacred shores of Hakipu‘u-Kualoa, in Kāne‘ohe Bay on the island of O‘ahu.
She was designed by artist and historian Herb Kawainui Kāne, one of the founders of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. The canoe was named Hōkūle‘a (“Star of Gladness”), a zenith star of Hawai‘i, which appeared to him growing ever brighter in a dream. This launching was one of many events that marked a generation of renewal for Hawai‘i’s indigenous people.
Fun Facts:
- Built in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and launched on March 8, 1975
- Has sailed over 140,000 nautical miles across the Pacific
- Length: 62 feet
- Width: 20 feet
Polynesian Voyaging Society Mission:
Founded in 1973, the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s mission is to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, each other, and their natural and cultural environments.
Through voyaging, PVS hopes to inspire humanity to care for the earth by highlighting the vital importance of oceans, indigenous knowledge, communities, education, and sustainability.
This visit is in partnership with:
Polynesian Voyaging Society, Ocean Institute, Olukai, Ama Olukai Foundation
