The Moloka‘i Sustainability Conference

When speaking about the Hōkūle‘a worldwide voyage Polynesian Voyaging Society chairperson and master navigator Nainoa Thompson is quick to say that this is a voyage for young people. From the overarching mission of communicating the need for navigating toward a sustainable future to training the next generation of wayfarers, every aspect of the journey is inextricably tied to our youth.

Therefore, when Thompson was asked to speak at Sust‘ĀINAble Molokai, he turned to some of the young people with whom he was working, the Kapu Nā Keiki crew.

"We sailed Hōkūle‘a to Moloka‘i for a training sail to see how we would do sailing into the wind and the waves," shared Kapu Nā Keiki crewmember Jason Patterson. "And, to attend Ka Honua Momona: Future of a Hawaiian Island Conference."

"At the conference," he continued, "we wanted to see how Moloka‘i is becoming a leader in sustainability for the state of Hawai‘i and how we can learn from what theyʻre doing."

Crewmate and Hōkūle‘a captain Ka‘au McKenney added, "Moloka‘i is a special island. Weʻve seen what has happened to O‘ahu and Maui. Moloka‘i still has a chance for a pono future."

Photos: Angela Fa‘anunu
Music: Darin Leong

The voyage to Moloka‘i gave several young people the opportunity to sail and to learn from the people of Moloka‘i.