Welcome Home Hokule'a

It was an amazing site to see. After a 3 year year circumnavigation covering 40,000 miles around the world, the voyaging canoe Hokule'a finally arrived home to Oahu on June 17, 2017 to the crowd of tens of thousands of people at Ala Wai Harbor and Magic Island in Honolulu. Arriving behind her entourage of seven keiki voyaging canoes from neighbor islands, Tahiti and New Zealand: Na Mohoe, Mookiha o Piilani, Makalii, Hawaii Loa, Okeanos, Fafaite, Hikianalia, the modern day wayfinders were met with leis, hugs, cheers and tears. 

Image: staradvertiser.com

Photo courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society - 'Oiwi TV - photographer Na 'Alehu Anthony

The worldwide voyage of Hokule'a has been in the making for over 30 years and was carried out by members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, with a mission of educating the world about the history of Polynesian voyaging, traditional navigation and spreading a message of sustainability and caring for Mother Earth. More than 250 crew members took part in the voyage, with 31 legs to 150 ports around the world. 

Hokule'a's arrival home marks the culmination of rigorous preparations and the undying dream to revive Polynesian voyaging after 600 years. During the arrival ceremony of Hokule'a officially designated a "state treasure," Honolulu City Mayor Kirk Caldwell presented Hokule'a Master Navigator Nainoa Thompson a key to the city and urged everyone to take the spirit of Hokule'a to heart. "Hokule'a talks to the future, to the keiki." said Thompson

Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL