Hokule‘a begins 4-year expedition of Pacific

Weather permits launch of Moananuiakea Voyage

The Maui News

The four-year Moananuiakea Voyage of the Pacific officially began this weekend after weather cleared in time for voyaging canoe Hokule'a to depart from Statter Harbor in Juneau, Alaska early Sunday morning.

The 43,000-nautical-mile journey will take Hokule'a and 400 crew members to 36 countries and archipelagoes, nearly 100 Indigenous territories and 345 ports, according to the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

The canoe and voyage received a grand ceremonial blessing and launch hosted by the Alaska Native community on Thursday; however, the crew was not able to depart until three days later due to weather, a news release said. Prior to arriving in Juneau, the canoe completed the Alaska Heritage Sail, which paid homage to Alaska Natives and the places that played a part in the 31-year history and relationship between Hawaii's voyaging community and Alaska.

Weather permitting, Hokule'a's crew is planning to visit several more communities in Southeast Alaska, with Hydaburg being the last stop in before entering British Columbia.

After, the crew will sail down the U.S. West Coast to Central and South America before making its way across the South Pacific. The canoes will circle New Zealand and head north toward Southeast Asia and Japan before cutting back across the Pacific to Los Angeles and returning home to Hawaii.

It will be Hokule'a's 15th major voyage in her first 50 years.

For additional information on PVS and the Moananuiakea Voyage, visit www.Hokulea.com or follow @Hokuleacrew on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.