The story of Hōkūleʻa and her incredible journey

“We want to keep our tradition and history alive. We have to pass on the knowledge and skills to the generations to come” says David Komine - a crew member of the iconic Hōkūleʻa.

Currently residing in Hawaii, I was fortunate enough to meet some of the incredible crew members of Hōkūleʻa – the voyaging canoe, who sailed through the Pacific, spreading the message of hope and courage. Spending an evening with them and listening to the stories from their historic journey took me back in time.

Hōkūleʻa set sailed on her iconic worldwide journey in May 2014. Hōkūleʻa along with sister canoe –Hikianalia – will sail across 60,000 nautical miles covering 27 nations and 100 ports. She started her journey from Hawai’I through Polynesia, covering Australia, Bali across Indian Ocean, moving towards South Africa covering Atlantic and Caribbean, moving upto North America, followed by their Pacific return.

The most unique part of their voyage was that they navigated their journey by following the traditional technique of ‘wayfinding’. The stars, the winds and the course of nature navigated them through the vast blue expanse for the last three years.  I was intrigued to learn about their story and it actually startled me. I spoke to various crew members to know about their incredible journey. I had a whole bunch of questions for them.   

Hōkūleʻa’s story dates back to more than 40 years, and it essence to more than 2000 years.  Hōkūleʻa rebuilds the story of the Polynesian tradition of navigation through the vast expanse of Pacific by following the stars. In the ancient time, before the advent of technologies, voyagers followed the stars, clouds, wind, weather and the birds while navigating through the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Sailing in their canoes they followed the course of nature to reach their destinations. The central part of their navigation is the ‘start compass’ where navigators memorize more than 200 stars to determine the location of their canoe in relation to its destination. Interestingly, the shape and colour of the clouds, the seabirds behavior and the waves give them cue for their journey. However, it was in the 1400s when the last of the Polynesian voyaging canoes were lost.

Also known as ‘star of gladness’, Hōkūleʻa aims to continue the story which was once almost lost.

Hōkūleʻa was first launched in the year 1975 by the Polynesian Voyaging Society from Hapiku’u/Kualoa from Oahu island. She was a replica based on the designs of the ancient canoes of the Pacific Islands.  She voyaged all the way to Tahiti following the first traditional open-ocean voyage from Hawai’i in 600 years.

Besides their traditional navigating skills, I experienced a pleasant surprise when I got to know that they were also spreading the message of environmental conservation. They were not only trying to revive a cultural heritage but also talking about conserving our ecology for the generations to come. As rightly said by Nainoa Thompson, Polynesian Voyaging Society President & Pwo Navigator, “We are voyaging because what is happening to climate, ecology and the chemistry of the earth is happening to all of us. There are stories out there of solutions, hope and leadership. These stories can build a sustainable future, when we come together to protect what we love. That is what Hōkūleʻa has always done.”

Hōkūleʻa is the hope of reviving a legacy. It not only brought people together but also echoes the desires of the people of the Pacific, Hawai’i and the world in conserving their traditions, culture and the earth for the generations to come.