HONOLULU – Hokulea, Hawaii’s traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe, has set sail on a three year worldwide expedition covering 47,000 nautical miles, 85 ports, and 26 countries. Crew members, continuing their ancestor’s voyaging traditions, will only use the stars, waves, wind, and birds for assistance to map their way on this incredible journey. Enroute, Hokulea will spread the contemporary message Malama Honua or caring for our island earth, which has historically been part of Polynesian and Hawaiian culture. For more information on the Hokulea or to track its voyage, visit Hokulea.com.
Visitors to the Aloha State can find their own inspiration, channeling the wayfinding spirit and learning the ropes of the trade at attractions and activities across the islands.
Astronomy meets Hawaiian culture at Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii in Hilo, where interactive exhibits, a planetarium show and special Wayfinding Talks with expert navigators reveal how voyagers utilized the elements of earth, sea and sky to get to their destination. Outside in the Native Garden, guests can learn about the “canoe plants” that were brought to the Hawaiian Islands by the early settlers to propagate in their new home.
Virtually hop on board the Hokulea and navigate your way from Tahiti to Hawaii during a special daily show at the Bishop Museum on Oahu. The 45-minute planetarium program titled “Wayfinders: Waves, Winds, and Stars” was produced in collaboration with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. For a broader perspective on the story of Pacific migration, visit the newly renovated Pacific Hall, which features a fascinating display of artifacts, images, and recordings of the native islanders.
The Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu’s North Shore is home to Iosepa, a 60-foot double-hulled voyaging canoe that was built for educational purposes and has completed several interisland sails since being launched in 2004. Twice a day, native islanders from the Hawaii village give a special presentation in a special halau waa (canoe house) where Iosepa is housed, sharing the story of how their ancestors braved deep-ocean voyages.
Murals in tribute to Polynesian voyaging are also on display at the Kauai Museum and the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, the latter created by renowned artist and historian Herb Kawainui Kane, who also founded and designed the Hokulea. The 36-foot-long mural that spans the length of the Outrigger Reef’s reception desk depicts 18 different canoes from cultures around the Pacific.
Visitors looking for a first-hand experience can travel the open ocean in a traditional sailing canoe. Island Sails Kauai, Hawaiian Ocean Adventures on Oahu, Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Adventures on Maui, and Kona Boys on Hawaii, the Big Island are among a few companies statewide that offer visitors a unique and intimate adventure learning about the history and tradition of Polynesian navigation and exploring the pristine waters and marine creatures of the Hawaiian Islands.
For more information on the Hawaiian Islands, visit GoHawaii.com.
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About HVCB
The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is contracted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawaii’s tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawaii’s economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.
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Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed., The Epicurean Explorer
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