Resort gifts lift Hokule’a’s sailing quest

Three hospitality giants have pledged more than a million dollars to ease the way for the worldwide expedition of the Hoku­le‘a, Hawaii’s iconic replica of a traditional double-hulled Polynesian voyaging canoe.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii and Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts LP announced Monday that they would give $500,000 in cash and in-kind support to the Polynesian Voyaging Society over the next five years. On Wednesday, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts will set sail on a partnership to provide the society with another $500,000 in cash and in-kind support.

"We wanted to lead the effort on behalf of the hospitality industry to support this culturally significant initiative." said Ernie Nishi­zaki, Kyo-ya executive vice president.

"Tourism is strengthened through education and appreciation of local culture. The Hoku­le‘a journey represents this for us and the entire tourism industry. We hope other hotel groups will join us in this effort."

The sailing canoe Hokule‘a, along with sister ship Hiki­ana­lia, plan to travel to more than 20 countries and 60 ports of call during a five-year worldwide voyage. The first part of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s journey ran from June to October, when Hoku­le‘a and Hiki­ana­lia made many trips within the Hawaiian Islands to establish Malama Honua, or "taking care of island Earth," and make contact with local communities.

The canoes are preparing to leave on the international leg of the voyage to the South Pacific.

"The first good wind after May 3rd, we are going. Don’t blink," said Nai­noa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and navigator of the Hokule‘a. "This voyage is really about peace in bringing us together for humankind."

As sponsors of the voyage, Outrigger and Starwood will offer accommodations for the crew and provide educational opportunities and activities for the community at various properties throughout the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.

"This is our largest investment to date in helping them. We are very excited about this partnership," said Bitsy Kelley, vice president of corporate communications for Outrigger Enterprises.

"We are on the same voyage as the Hoku­le‘a, as we are expanding into Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean," Kelley said. "What they are doing and what we are doing really parallels."

Thompson said the new partnerships, which piggyback on an earlier $1 million-plus investment from Hawaiian Airlines, boost crew morale and get the vessel closer to its financial goal.

"We’ve raised about $22 million of the $36 million in in-kind and cash donations that we need to complete this expedition," Thompson said.

Thompson said the free hotel rooms and the community outreach are just as important to the journey as the cash donations.

"The sea is a rough place out there. It will take you to the bone," Thompson said. "Knowing that we are not here by ourselves, that we sail with Hawaii, makes a difference."

The Polynesian Voyaging Society was founded in 1973 on a legacy of Pacific Ocean exploration. Hokule‘a set sail on its first voyage to Tahiti from Hawaii in 1976, reawakening the Native Hawaiian culture by embracing its seafaring heritage around the Pacific.