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The Maui News
Hokule'a will be making a port call at Maalaea Small Boat Harbor from Monday to March 2, part of the voyaging canoe's "Mahalo, Hawai'i Sail."
Hokule'a, which recently returned from an around-the-world voyage, will depart Rainbow Bay Marina on Oahu on Saturday, then make a brief stop in Makaha for the Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic before heading to Maalaea.
The canoe is scheduled to arrive at Maalaea harbor at 9 a.m. Monday and will be greeted by Hui o Wa'a Kaulua, Maui's voyaging canoe society, and other community cultural groups. The greeting ceremony will be open to the public.
During its 10-day visit, Hokule'a will be hosting school and public dockside canoe tours.
More than 1,000 students from 14 Maui schools, ranging from preschool to high school, will have the opportunity to set foot on Hokule'a. During the tour, the youths will hear stories from crew members, learn about traditional wayfinding using the star compass, and try their hand at basic knot-tying skills needed on board the vessel.
The general public is welcome to tour the canoe the day of arrival and at specific times and days. The schedule is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday; 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 24 to 25; 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 26 to March 1.
Parking for arrival day and public tours is available in the harbor public paid parking stalls and the large Maui Harbor Shops parking lot. Hokule'a will be located on the south side of the harbor at the far end of the dock.
Members of Maui's voyaging canoe society and crew of Maui voyaging canoe Mo'okiha o Pi'ilani will be conducting tours of the canoe for their community, many of whom participated in Hokule'a's three-year Malama Honua WorldWide Voyage.
There also will be a panel discussion and screening of worldwide voyage highlights at 6 p.m. Monday in the Grand Wailea's Haleakala Ballroom 2/3. The public will be able to hear stories about the worldwide voyage from Hokule'a navigators and crew. The event is free and open to the public with complimentary valet parking.
"We are honored and excited to welcome Hokule'a back to Maui and Maalaea harbor as part of its Mahalo, Hawai'i Sail," said Paul Sensano, Maui district manager of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Boating Division. "The opportunity for the Maui community and so many of Maui's keiki to connect with the canoe, and become a part of its story, is a great thing, and one I know we all are looking forward to."
Hokule'a began its Mahalo, Hawai'i Sail in August with a sail from Oahu to Honolua Bay.
For schedule updates, visit www.hokulea.com. The Polynesian Voyaging Society notes that the schedule is dependent on the weather and safety.