Update: Hōkūleʻa departure from Sand Island delayed

4 p.m. update Thursday: Due to weather and safety concerns, Polynesian Voyaging Society’s leadership has postponed Hōkūleʻa’s departure to Kauaʻi by a day to watch the weather for another 24 hours. The crew will report to the Marine Education Training Center at Sand Island Friday at noon and decide on whether to sail based on the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center. 

If the crew decides to sail, departure will be at 2 p.m. with a Saturday afternoon arrival to Hanalei at the earliest.  

12:24 p.m. update Thursday: Hōkūleʻa’s departure to Kauaʻi has been postponed as Polynesian Voyaging Society’s CEO Nainoa Thompson and the crew assess the weather including a tropical cyclone in the Central Pacific. 

A decision will be made by early this afternoon on whether the canoe will depart today. 

Original post: Hōkūleʻa, a historic traditional Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe, will depart from Sand Island, Oʻahu, this afternoon, when it will sail to Hanalei, Kauaʻi, arriving on Friday morning and staying on the Garden Island for over a week.

The event marks the beginning of the  Pae ‘Āina Statewide Sail, which will span seven months and cover 3,000 miles while stopping at 31 ports and reaching 34 communities.

The statewide sail aims to provide training and connect with communities, especially students and their families.

The Hōkūleʻa crew will host canoe tours and activities for schools and the community while docked in Hanalei and Nāwiliwil from Aug. 16 through Aug. 30.

The launch of Pae ‘Āina Statewide Sail is expected to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, when the canoe will depart Sand Island off O‘ahu.

It is expected to arrive at the Hanalei Pier at 10 a.m. the following morning, on Friday, where it will host various canoe tours before it leaves for the Nāwiliwili Harbor in Līhuʻe for more events.

Hōkūleʻa staff have released the following schedule for the canoe in Hanalei and Līhuʻe.

Arrival at Hanalei Pier
Friday at approximately 10 a.m.

Hōkūleʻa Dockside Canoe Tours at Hanalei Pier
Friday: 2-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
Aug. 19-21: 4-7 p.m.
Monday through Thursday is reserved for school tours from 9 a.m. to noon.

Arrival at Nāwiliwili Small Boat Harbor
Aug. 24 at approximately 10 a.m.

Hōkūleʻa Dockside Canoe Tours at Nāwiliwili Harbor
Aug. 24: Noon to 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 25-29: 10 a.m. to noon, and 1-4 p.m.
Aug. 26-29: 4-7 p.m.
Monday through Thursday is reserved for school tours from 9 a.m. to noon.

For the latest updates on the Pae ‘Āina Statewide Sail, visit hokulea.com and
@hokuleacrew on Facebook and Instagram.

Following the seven month voyage, Hōkūleʻa and its sister canoe Hikianalia is scheduled to resume the Moananuiākea Circumnavigation of the Pacific in March 2025.

The Pae ‘Āina Statewide Sail is sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines and DAWSON.