The crew of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Hokule‘a was greeted Monday with a formal homecoming ceremony at the Grand Naniloa Hotel pier in Hilo, with hula performances, chant and music.

The iconic double-hulled canoe will remain docked by the hotel during the Merrie Monarch Festival this week and remain on Hawaii island for two months for free dockside canoe tours and hands-on educational activities with students as part of its “Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail” tour.

“This is about celebrating, honoring, respecting, recognizing what’s special about being Hawaiian,” said Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim at the ceremony.

Oiwi TV streamed the homecoming ceremony on Facebook Live.

Members of the original 1976 crew will be honored at the festival’s Hoike, the free performance at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium on Wednesday evening. They also will be on hand for a “talk-story” session from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and visit the Keaau campus of Kamehameha Schools on Friday.

After its historic, three-year journey around the world using only the stars and observations of nature to navigate, the traditional Polynesian way, the Hokule‘a and Hikianalia are traveling around the Hawaiian Isles to thank the community for its support as well as to share lessons learned.

Visit hokulea.com for an updated schedule.