Balancing the Canoe
Pwo Navigator Nainoa Thompson and Hōkūleʻa Captain Lehua Kamalu describe trusting the natural world and the principles of adjusting the sails to balance the canoe. “The navigator needs to know…
Vigilance and the Gift of Voyaging – Bruce Blankenfeld
Pwo Navigator and Captain Bruce Blankenfeld describes the different aspects of crewing Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia and reflects on the opportunities that voyaging has given him. “When I think about voyaging…I…
Taputapuātea – Linking Our Past and Our Future
Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia sailed to Marae Taputapuātea on the island of Raʻiātea on May 17, 2022. In doing so, they asked permission to enter the sacred pass of Teavamoʻa, honoring…
Hōkūleʻa in Tahiti – Then and Now
The arrival of Hōkūleʻa in Papeʻete, Tahiti, in May 2022 echoes the first arrival of the wa‘a in 1976. Community members recount the meaning of that first visit and describe…
Hikianalia – Bruce Blankenfeld
Pwo Navigator and Captain Bruce Blankenfeld describes the critical role of Hikianalia, the escort vessel and sister canoe of Hōkūleʻa. "The role for Hikianalia....is just for safety, for that one…
Photo courtesy of Gigi Brisson
Learning Our Earth – Cycles of Life
As co-conveners of the May 2022 Blue Climate Summit in Tahiti, Pwo Navigator Nainoa Thompson and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle led conversations on accelerating ocean-related solutions to climate change and…
Joint Declaration for the Oceans
In a joint declaration signed on May 23, 2022, the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the government of French Polynesia committed to elevating the voices of island people and Polynesia, making…
Pulling an Island
After more than two weeks of voyaging, Hōkūle’a and Hikianalia find land, first pulling the island of Arutua and then landing in Rangiroa on May 6, 2022. And it's a…
Reflections on Crew Selection
In May 2022, Hōkūleʻa successfully traveled the ancient sea corridor Kealaikahiki (Road to Tahiti), led by Hōkūleʻa's first female captain and navigator, Lehua Kamalu. In advance of the voyage, she…