HONOLULU — Six months, 2,800 miles and approximately 45 ports later, voyaging canoe Hokulea is stowed safely aboard Matson’s “Mahimahi” container ship as it makes its way back to Hawaii.
The Matson ship departed Long Beach, California on Friday and is expected to arrive in Honolulu on Wed., Dec. 6.
Hokulea will then be towed to her home at the Marine Education Training Center on Sand Island on Thursday morning. The Polynesian Voyaging Society will hold a ceremony at METC at 4 p.m. that will be open to the public, according to a news release.
In September, PVS CEO Nainoa Thompson announced a major change to the Moananuiakea Voyage that would bring Hokulea back to Hawaii in December.
The devastating Maui wildfires was one of the most important reasons said Thompson at the time. The other was the unusually warm waters of the Pacific Ocean caused by El Nino and unprecedented weather patterns causing widespread destruction around the globe. The intent was to sail Hokulea home, however, recent data showed El Nino strengthening even further, according to the release.
The focus will be on training, education and planning while Hokulea is in Hawaii. Hokulea will continue her circumnavigation of the Pacific, but a launch date is yet to be determined.
Hokulea and her crew accomplished much on the journey through Alaska and down the U.S. West Coast said Thompson. Relationships were forged and strengthened with the many Indigenous and Native Hawaiian communities, always with the message of the importance of caring for the earth and its oceans.
Milestones included crossing the Gulf of Alaska, sailing through straits and narrows, and reaching Hubbard Glacier located two-thirds of the way to the North Pole, the farthest north Hokulea has ever been.
During the last six months, several crew members were also able to complete the final phase of training to become captains during the Moananuiakea Voyage, according to Thompson.
The public can stay abreast of the Hokulea via the Polynesian Voyaging Society website and @hokuleacrew on Facebook and Instagram.
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.