A ceremonial blessing and send-off ceremony in Juneau, Alaska, kicked off today as the voyaging canoe Hokuleʻa is set to embark on a four-year Moananuiakea circumnavigation of the Pacific.

“Moananuiakea, a Voyage for Earth,” is a 43,000-nautical-mile, 47-month circumnavigation of the Pacific by the traditional Polynesian voyaging canoes Hokule‘a and Hikianalia. The crew of 400 will visit 36 countries and archipelagoes, nearly 100 Indigenous territories and 345 ports.

Moananuiakea is the 15th major voyage in Hokule‘a’s first 50 years. The regional sail plan, which is subject to change, starts in Alaska and ends in Tahiti:

• June to September: Alaska to British Columbia

• September to November: West Coast of the United States

• November 2023 to February 2024: Mexico, Central America, South America

• February to March 2024: Galapagos to Rapa Nui

• March to April 2024: Pitcairn Islands, Marquesas Islands, Tuamotus

• April to December 2024: Tahiti, Austral Islands, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga

• December 2024 to May 2025: New Zealand

• May to December 2025: Melanesia and Micronesia

• December 2025 to March 2026: Palau

• March to September 2026: Philippines, China, Taiwan, Okinawa, Japan, South Korea, Hokkaido, Russia

• September to December 2026: Japan, Los Angeles (ship), Hawaii

• Spring 2027: Tahiti

Today’s “Global Launch” event featured Alaska Native and Hawaiian cultural protocols, dances, chants, prayers and blessings. Representatives from Alaska, Taiwan, Micronesia, Samoa, Rarotonga and Aotearoa from New Zealand attended the event.

Hokule‘a’s departure time from Alaska has yet to be determined. “Crew is monitoring the weather to determine the best day/time for the canoe to depart Juneau,” according to a news release.

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