The Hōkūleʻa returns to Kapalua, Maui

After three years of sailing around the world, the Hōkūleʻa is returning to Honolua Bay, Maui.

Back on May 1, 1976, the Hōkūleʻa set off from Honolua Bay on it's inaugural sail to chart the course to Tahiti.  I was fortunate enough to be there, along with my father, Duke, to witness their departure for, what was to be, an historic voyage and the beginning of a movement to Mālama Honua, or care for our island earth.

Hōkūleʻa Worldwide Voyage: Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage: 3-minute overview video

Now, some 41 years later, the Hōkūleʻa has returned to Honolua Bay on the Mahalo, Hawai'i Sail.  The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) has announced that this will be a six month journey throughout the Hawaiian Islands, with the first stop being Honolua Bay, Maui  

Events:

Today as the canoe made her way to Maui, dozens gathered aboard the Hōkūleʻa to announce Olowalu reef as a Mission Blue “Hope Spot”, by world-renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle. The Mission Blue Coalition named the Olowalu reef, which extends nearly 1000 acres off and four miles along, West Maui's shore, as a Hope Spot to recognize and support the community group Olowalu Community Managed Makai Area’s (CMMA’s) efforts to protect this fragile ecosystem.

In addition to daytime educational activities, which include the welcoming ceremony, tree planting, and canoe tours on Saturday and Sunday, there are several "talk story" events.  These evening events are open to the public, to listen to the crew talk story about their voyages over the last four decades, the lessons they have learned, and their mission to circle the world with a "lei of hope". 

• Thursday, August 17 6 p.m. -8 p.m. Huliau Film and Lecture Series "Ola 'o Maui Nui, Kamehameha Scools, Maui
  (Participating crew members: Penny Martin, Billy Richards, Kalepa Baybayan, Po'mai Bertelman and Kala Baybayan)
• Friday, August 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Crew "Talk Story", Westin Nanea  
  (Participating crew members: Max Yarawamai, Archie Kalepa, Lehua Kamalu and Billy Richards)
• Friday, August 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. -Crew "Talk Story" at Kaanapali Beach Hotel
  (Participating crew members: Mark Ellis, Kekaimalu Lee, Kaʻiulani Murphy and Pua Lincoln)
• Saturday, August 19, 7 p.m. "Legends of Hōkūleʻa", where original crew from 1976 voyage will tell their personal stories. Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Salon Ballroom 1
  (Participating crew members: Buffalo Keaulana, Snake Ah Hee, Billy Richards, John Kruse, Gordon Piʻianaia, Penny Martin, Kimo Lyman, Marion Lyman-Mersereau, Makaala Yates and Kainoa Lee)
• Sunday, August 20, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Talk Story: The Journey of Hōkūleʻa, Montage Kapalua Bay
  (Participating crew members: Kalepa Baybayan, Kalā Tanaka and Austin Kino)
• Monday, August 21, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Meet and Greet with Crew, Merriman's Kapalua
  $35 for drinks and light appetizers.  Silent Auction.  100% of ticket proceeds going to Friends of the Pu'u Kukui Watershed to 

Merriman's Fundraiser

With the Promise to Pae ʻĀina, the Polynesian Voyaging Society acknowledges the immense environmental issues facing our islands, the seas, and the earth itself.  Their promise as stewards is to bring awareness of these issues and be a guiding light to a healthier, safer future.  More information and to support the Mālama Honua mission, please visit www.hokulea.com

Times, dates and participants subject to change.