Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia are scheduled to arrive in Hilo to make their final stop on the Pae ʻĀina Statewide Sail before leaving Hawaiʻi for three years for the Moananuiākea Voyage. The canoes are expected to arrive on Wednesday afternoon and stay for about a week to engage with the community and make final voyage preparations.

The County of Hawaiʻi, Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau, Grand Naniloa Hotel and the Hilo Community are hosting the following public events:

 

WELCOME CEREMONY AT GRAND NANILOA HOTEL
Wednesday, May 21

PUBLIC DOCKSIDE ENGAGEMENT AT GRAND NANILOA HOTEL
Thursday, May 22, 3 to 6pm

HILO’S HŌKŪLEʻA HOʻOLAULEʻA
Saturday, May 24, 9am to 3pm | Wailoa Boat Harbor (Makai side of the Wailoa Bridge near the Suisan Fish Market)

Depending on weather conditions, Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia are tentatively scheduled to depart Hilo for French Polynesia on May 30.

The Moananuiākea Voyage will traverse approximately 43,000 nautical miles, visiting 36 countries and archipelagos, nearly 100 indigenous territories, and more than 345 ports. The voyage involves around 400 crew members from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

 

Photo credit: Polynesian Voyaging Society