The Journey

The worldwide voyage of Hōkūle‘a is envisioned to take eight years, divided into several phases. Hōkūle‘a’s rich history – embracing the principles of Mālama Hawai‘i (caring for Hawai‘i, our island home), ‘ohana wa’a (unity within the family of canoes in Hawai‘i), and the theme of sustainability – will guide this transformational voyage.

It will begin in 2009 with the training of young navigators, captains and crew members for long-distance voyaging, including a month-long sail to Palmyra Atoll, approximately 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i. Additional short and long training sails will provide sea-time for the new crew members. After a year of drydock time (2010) during which the canoe will be completely refitted and prepared for years of hard sailing, Hōkūle‘a and her sister canoes from across the Hawaiian Islands will embark on a year-long statewide sail visiting 42 ports and school communities (2011).

Finally, the three-year global voyage of Hōkūle‘a escorted by a new state-of-the-art vessel demonstrating sustainability will commence in 2012. Together, they will visit more than 45 ports to explore and enact, with people across all boundaries, solutions toward living sustainably on our Island Earth. Returning in 2015, the canoe and crews will revisit communities across the state, sharing new information learned and assessing progress made on goals while Hōkūle‘a was abroad.

PHOTO CREDIT: Na‘alehu Anthony/Palik Productions