Alpaca Few Bags

06/24/2025

Enjoying some sunshine in Portland.

05/25/2025

Got a chance to see the Hōkūleʻa in Hilo this weekend.

Here are some key facts about Hōkūleʻa, a culturally significant and iconic voyaging canoe from Hawaiʻi:

1. Traditional Design: Hōkūleʻa is a double-hulled Polynesian voyaging canoe (waʻa kaulua), built using traditional Polynesian design techniques and materials.

2. Launched in 1975: She was launched on March 8, 1975, and played a major role in the Hawaiian cultural renaissance.

3. Name Meaning: "Hōkūleʻa" means "Star of Gladness" in Hawaiian, referring to the star Arcturus, a key navigational guide in Polynesian wayfinding.

4. Non-Instrument Navigation: Hōkūleʻa voyages using traditional Polynesian wayfinding — navigating by the stars, ocean swells, winds, birds, and other natural signs, without modern instruments.

5. Historic 1976 Voyage: In 1976, Hōkūleʻa sailed from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti and back, proving that ancient Polynesians could have intentionally navigated across the Pacific.

6. Mau Piailug’s Role: The success of that voyage was made possible by Mau Piailug, a master navigator from Micronesia, who shared his traditional knowledge of wayfinding.

7. Worldwide Voyage: From 2013 to 2017, Hōkūleʻa completed the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, sailing over 40,000 nautical miles to promote ocean conservation, indigenous knowledge, and global sustainability.

8. Cultural Symbol: Hōkūleʻa is more than a canoe — it is a symbol of Hawaiian pride, cultural revival, and environmental stewardship.

9. Operated by PVS: Hōkūleʻa is maintained and operated by the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), a nonprofit organization founded in 1973.

10. Continued Voyaging: Hōkūleʻa continues to voyage today, inspiring new generations of navigators and leaders rooted in indigenous knowledge and care for the Earth.

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