A graphic shows the route that Hokule‘a will take around the Pacific Ocean from 2023 to 2027, starting this summer in Alaska. Polynesian Voyaging Society graphic

The Maui News

Legendary voyaging canoe Hokule’a and its sister canoe Hikianalia will circumnavigate the Pacific Ocean on a four-year expedition that will start in Alaska this summer, the Polynesian Voyaging Society announced Tuesday.

About 400 crew members will sail an estimated 43,000 nautical miles around the Pacific, visiting 36 countries and archipelagoes, nearly 100 indigenous territories and more than 300 ports as part of the Moananuiakea Voyage that the voyaging society has spent five years planning and preparing for.

“Moananuiakea, I believe, is the most difficult voyage, partly because physically it’s the longest time and distance and it’s hard — the currents, the tides, the issue of hypothermia in Alaska, we need to be prepared,” Polynesian Voyaging Society CEO Nainoa Thompson said in a news release. “But what I really mean by most difficult is achievement of the mission. We’re trying to reclaim our relationship to the earth and the destination is not ours. It’s whether this world is going to be healthy for our children.”

The goal of the voyage is to ignite a movement of 10 million “planetary navigators” by developing young leaders and engaging communities around the world to take part in navigating the Earth towards a healthy, thriving future, the voyaging society said. The voyage itself is a global educational campaign that will amplify the vital importance of oceans and indigenous knowledge through education and storytelling shared via a virtual “Third Canoe” called Wa’a Honua, meaning a canoe for the Earth, at waahonua.com.

Hokule’a will begin the journey to Alaska on April 16. An escort boat, gear and supplies will be transported to Juneau via Matson and Alaska Marine Lines. Hokule’a will first travel to Yakutat, Alaska, to begin a pre-voyage “Heritage Sail” along the Southeast region to pay homage to Native Alaskan leaders before arriving in Juneau at Auke Bay, the traditional lands of the A’akw Kwaan, on June 10.

The canoe and crew will remain in Juneau for a week of community and educational engagements before departing on June 15, launching the circumnavigation of the Pacific. Hikianalia will join the voyage in Seattle in August.

The regional sail plan will be as follows:

• June to September: Alaska, British Columbia, Seattle.

• September to November: U.S. West Coast.

• January to February 2024: Mexico, Central America, South America.

• March to December 2024: Exploring Polynesia.

• December 2024 to May 2025: Aotearoa.

• May to March 2026: Melanesia, Micronesia and Palau.

• March to September 2026: West Pacific, ending in Japan.

• September to December 2026: Shipping from Japan to Los Angeles then sailing home to Hawaii.

• Spring 2027: Tahiti.

For more information on the voyage, visit hokulea.com.