Hōkūleʻa sets sail on statewide voyage that will stop at 31 ports, reach 34 communities

Hōkūleʻa, the historic traditional Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe, was asked last year to return from the Moananuiākea Voyage around the Pacific Ocean to be a light of hope for Lahaina on the 1-year anniversary of the devastating and deadly wildfires that destroyed the historic west Maui commuinity last August.

Without hesitation, the crew accepted the invite and was there last week to honor and pay respect to the community.

As part of the commemoration, Hōkūleʻa welcomed aboard Maui kūpuna as well as Snake Ah Hee, a crew member from the canoe’s 1976 maiden voyage.

Hōkūleʻa now is embarking on the Pae ‘Āina Statewide Sail.

Spanning 7 months, the sail will cover 3,000 miles, stopping at 31 ports and reaching 34 communities before Hōkūleʻa and her sister ship Hikianalia resume the Moananuiākea Voyage in March 2025.

The purpose of the statewide sail is for training and to connect with communities, especially students and their families.

“Our mission is to connect with children in schools, listen to their voices, and understand how PVS can best serve them,” said Polynesian Voyaging Society CEO Nainoa Thompson. “This leg of the voyage is the most important one because it will define why we sail. It will tell us how to best serve our communities and children when we leave Hawai‘i in 2025.”

The society is working in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education and other educational and community partners on a plan that includes community outreach, canoe tours, teacher professional development and voyage-inspired curriculum development focused on culture and sustainability.

Below is the schedule for the satewide sail. All ports and dates are subject to change and depend on weather conditions.

Visit the Polynesian Voyaging Society website for the latest updates.