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Hōkūle’a Arrival Ceremony
November 4, 2023 @ 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Hōkūle’a Arrival Ceremony
4:30 pm – Hōkule’a Arrives outside Dana Point Harbor
- Dana Point OC Sheriff will provide a water salute and R/V Sea Explorer will escort behind.
- While Hōkūle’a enters the mouth of the harbor, it will be escorted by canoe clubs to Ocean Institute’s dock.
5:00 pm – Welcome Ceremony inside Ocean Institute
- We invite the public inside our campus where a ceremony will take place in the courtyard
- Speeches, cultural tributes, and ceremonial dances of welcome are performed during this time.
- Check back for more updates!
To reserve a seat in our courtyard for the welcome ceremony, please RVSP below.
RSVP is sold out, waitlist only.
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
HOKULE’A ARRIVAL CEREMONY – PREMIER VIEWING LOCATION
Join us on the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center Historic Maritime Wharf for a premier viewing location of the Hokule’a’s arrival and dockside welcome ceremony.
This ticket also includes access to the sold-out welcome ceremony in Ocean Institute’s courtyard.
Standing room only for water welcome on Maddie James Seaside Learning Center Historic Maritime Wharf, seating provided for the ceremony in Ocean Institute’s courtyard.
Check-in/doors open at 3:30 pm
Hokule’a arrives ~4:00 pm
The ceremony in Ocean Institute’s courtyard begins at 5:00 pm
Ticket: $50
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
