Polynesian Voyaging Society CEO Nainoa Thompson announced on Wednesday a major change to the Moananuiakea Voyage sail plan, according to a news release.
Following the devastating Maui wildfires, Hokulea will change course and return home from San Diego, California in late December before continuing its circumnavigation of the Pacific.
“The level of hurt that’s happening in our home is something I can’t comprehend. All I know is that we have to come home because of it,” said Thompson. “I believe the family is going to need the canoe and the canoe is going to need the family.”
Another contributing factor, according to Thompson and the PVS leadership, is the unprecedented weather patterns that include the current El Nino phenomenon impacting the entire globe.
Unlike pre-climate change earth when weather followed a mostly predictable pattern, the combination of a heated earth and the warm Pacific Ocean caused by El Nino, creates an unclear picture of the possible risks.
“This is the first time that I know of that we’re having to really make decisions about a really established hot earth, plus the heat of El Nino,” said Thompson. “The job of the navigator is to protect that canoe and those who sail it, and the way to do that is to watch nature and make decisions on when it’s time to go and when it’s not time to go.”
How long Hokulea will remain in its home waters is unknown, however Thompson said the Moananuiakea Voyage will be completed within the original timeframe and they will keep any commitments made to communities around the Pacific.
This past Sunday, Hokulea sailed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco Bay before entering Aquatic Bay Cove escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard and dozens of outrigger canoes.
Once moored, the outrigger canoes encircled Hokulea for a moment of quiet reflection for Maui.
Part of the Moananuiakea Voyage, the stop in San Francisco drew a crowd of over 3,000 people that included a member of the Coast Miwok Tribe of what is now known as Marin and southern Sonoma counties; renowned oceanographer, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Founder of Mission Blue, Sylvia Earl; Gregg Castro and members of the Ramaytush Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco area; and other representatives.
Though unable to attend, Gov. Gavin Newsom sent an official proclamation declaring Sept. 24, 2023, as “Moananuiakea Welcome Day.”
The day marked Hokulea’s second visit to the Bay Area; the first was 28 years as part of the 1995 voyage, “Na Ohana Holo Moana: The Voyaging Families of the Vast Ocean.”
Video courtesy Polynesian Voyaging Society
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.