Hokule‘a, Hikianalia back home after voyage to Tahiti
After a two-month voyage to and from Hawaii’s ancestral homeland of Tahiti, voyaging canoes Hokule‘a and Hikianalia returned home to Oahu on Thursday evening, the Polynesian Voyaging Society announced Sunday.
The Kealaikahiki Voyage focused on training the next generation of voyagers, honoring the relationship between Hawaii and Tahiti and starting initiatives to build Pacific connections in preparation for next year’s Moananuiakea Voyage, according to a news release.
“When we began to map out the idea of the Moananuiakea Voyage, we knew we had to start by returning to our ancestral homeland of Tahiti to deepen our understanding of our voyaging traditions and the ancient searoad of Kealaikahiki,” said Nainoa Thompson, CEO of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. “The voyage was also an important step towards ensuring the future of voyaging. Despite the many challenges, the young navigators and crew demonstrated that they have the skills, values and commitment to ensure that voyaging never goes extinct in Polynesia again.”
The crews started the voyage from Sand Island, Oahu, on April 11 and were received by dignitaries and the community at an arrival ceremony and celebration in Papeete, Tahiti, on May 7.
During their two-week stay in French Polynesia, the crews participated in highly sacred ceremonies at the ancient voyaging marae of Taputapuatea where Hokule‘a and Hikianalia were consecrated as sacred vessels of heritage to carry the mana, or spirit, of Polynesia throughout the Pacific on the Moananuiakea Voyage, which will start in the spring of next year.
The crews also participated in ocean conservation events during the Blue Climate Summit. Thompson and crew leadership joined French Polynesia President Edouard Fritch for the signing of a joint declaration for the protection of oceans by French Polynesia and the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
The canoes departed Papeete on May 24, stopping at Rangiroa and eventually Keauhou to clear U.S. customs before arriving back at the Marine Education Training Center at Sand Island at 6:45 p.m. Thursday.