Hokuleʻa’s lessons spread far, wide

Back in February 2013, after several months in drydock, the voyaging canoe Hokule‘a was slipped back into waters at Sand Island. Tethered nearby was its escort vessel, Hikianalia.

Together in the water for the first time for sea trials preceding the launch of the Malama Honua (“Care for the Earth”) worldwide voyage, they were strikingly small. The 62-foot long wood-and-fiberglass Hokule‘a — a replica of a Polynesian wa‘a (double-hulled canoe) is propelled by paddles, wind-filled sails and little else. Ten feet longer, Hikinalia has solar-powered engines.

On the international leg of the voyage, which got underway three years ago, little Hokule‘a carried a big message, stressing marine resources protection and preservation of local cultures, more than 46,000 miles — visiting more than 150 ports in 19 countries. This morning, the sister canoes sail into Oahu’s south shore for a homecoming celebration.

There’s plenty to celebrate. At the top of the list: The swell of cultural pride that took shape during the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s continues today. Four decades ago, when the then-new canoe succeeded in its first historic journey to Tahiti from Hawaii, the closely watched sail folded into the heart of the ongoing resurgence in cultural identity expressed in music, language, hula and other traditional practices.

>> More than 250 Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) volunteer sailors took part in Hokule‘a’s around-the-globe journey, which was navigated in the tradition of Polynesian seafaring — without a compass or any other modern equipment. The awe-inspiring wayfinding system relies on a blend of modern science and ancient techniques based on celestial observation, wind patterns, waves and other environmental factors.

>> Along the way, crews explored coral reefs and temple ruins, greeted world leaders and local indigenous groups, and collected 11 declarations by governments and nongovernmental organizations for marine protection. Here’s hoping those pledges spur on international resolve to tackle growing concerns about pollution and ocean acidification as well as sea-level rise and other climate change issues.

>> Perhaps most importantly, crew members spoke directly with our future by sharing the odyssey with schoolchildren. Classroom conversations were held by way of live video chats and email correspondence with about 150 “adopted” schools, most of them in Hawaii. In far-flung ports, sailors guided open-house tours of Hokule‘a, taught local kids and others Polynesian sailing basics and encouraged green practices.

The nonprofit PVS estimates that crews delivered its dual message to more than 100,000 people during the voyage. It’s now returning its focus to Hawaii. Before launching the international leg, Hokule‘a and Hikianalia spent months sailing 1,000 miles statewide, with stops at 30 ports to conduct various outreach efforts.

Plans are in the works for Hokule‘a to return to those ports, with crew members visiting communities and schools. Voyage leaders want to take a look at the unprecedented sail’s impact on Hawaii. They’ll find ample enthusiasm and some efforts guided by environmental-cultural tenets. But they’re sure to also see glaring concerns, ranging from a flimsy plastic bag ban on Oahu, to continued statewide dependency on fossil fuels.

The voyaging society’s president, Nainoa Thompson, has said, “This leg, to me, is the most important leg of the worldwide voyage.” He added, “What is the sail plan for communities? What do they want to do? Where do they want to go?”

It’s heartening to glimpse the response among educators in the islands.

About 600 public and private school teachers have attended “wa‘a talks” — quarterly summits where they shared voyage-influenced lesson plans and curriculum. The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Education has started a new master’s program inspired by the voyage’s ideals.

Here’s hoping that the sail’s impact will inspire future generations, from keiki to kupuna, to learn more about the health of our planet and its varied cultures, and take action to preserve and protect both.

Welcome home, Hokule‘a and Hikianalia.