Getting an Early Glimpse of Hokulea and Hikianalia Canoe Trek

Polynesian canoes go on a three-hour tour.

PhotoS: David Croxford

With the canoes Hokulea and Hikianalia making final preparations for a scheduled May 17 launch on their worldwide voyage, the Polynesian Voyaging Society helped host a media sail this week (April 29) to provide a preview of the seagoing adventure ahead.

Brisk tradewinds tempered the bright sun for a picture-perfect sail of both vessels from Sand Island to an area off Diamond Head.

The more traditional vessel Hokulea is smaller and faster while Hikianalia usessustainable solar and wind energy and combines the latest technology with lessons learned from voyaging tradition.

Captain Robert Perkins, director of the Marine Education Training Center, led the crew of Hikianalia, which is equipped with its own wi-fi, solar panels that help power the electric motors, and a slick setup that will allow instant communication throughout the voyage.

The aim of the journey is to learn and create global relationships while exploring how to care for our oceans “and Island Earth.” The trek calls for traveling 47,000 nautical miles and visiting more than 25 countries.

Follow the journey at hokulea.com.

This article appears in the April 2014 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.