The voyaging canoe, recently back home from its three-year Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage, was greeted by hundreds on boats and boards, and watching from the Hanalei Pier. Even a pod of dolphins and a monk seal watched.
Moku Chandler paused as he tried to find the words to express his feelings about being a crew member of the Hokulea and the rousing welcome it received in Hanalei Bay on a spectacular Sunday morning.
Joy, love, forgiveness, caring for each other — all were expressed when Hokulea and sister canoe Hikianalia arrived for the first of its three-day stay on Kauai.
A crowd of keiki to kupuna filled the Hanalei Pier, where the canoes were docked, to watch a spirited, heartfelt ceremony that included hula, chants, blessings, lei and gifts.
Voyagers departed from Haleiwa, Oahu, Saturday and reached their destination after 12 hours of sailing through the night amid clear skies and steady tradewinds. Hokulea was captained by Kamaki Worthington, North Shore resident, while navigation student Koral McCarthy provided direction via traditional Polynesian way finding techniques.
Koral McCarthy who also coordinated arrival ceremonies and much of the week’s coming events.
The Kauai port stop and outreach events were planned by the Polynesian Voyaging Society and coordinated by local community members and supporters as part of the Mahalo, Hawaii Sail, an extension of the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage. The sail includes similar visits to every major Hawaiian island into 2018.
During the three-day Kauai engagement, crew members will participate with the community in activities that will highlight the recent Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage as well as the work being done within Kauai communities.
During a ceremony on the beach Sunday, Kauai’s Louise Sausen looked out at Hokulea floating at the end of the pier. She smiled and beamed with pride.
Kumu Leihi‘ilani Kirkpatrick brought halau members who were part of the opening ceremony. She spoke of unity, malama and aloha, all things that can be learned from Hokulea’s journey that took it 40,000 nautical miles and to about 150 ports worldwide. Crew members met with people around the globe. 