Hokulea comes to town

The Hokulea (Star of Gladness) is a modern replica of a traditional Hawaiian double-hulled voyaging canoe.  It was built to restore the almost lost art of Polynesian navigation (sailing by the stars, wind and currents), and brought a renewed love of culture and pride in ancestry for the Hawaiians.  It was first launched in 1975 and is currently on it's Statewide Voyage.  Every time the Hokulea anchors and the crew comes into shore, it's met by crowds, cheers, and a traditional welcoming ceremony.  The girls and I went out to see it when it recently came to shore. There was a feeling of unity and love and celebration on the beach.  The Hokulea is very much a symbol of cultural pride.  You can read more about the Hokulea, it's mission and it's voyages at the Polynesian Voyaging Society's website hokulea.org.

The conch shells blown in the welcoming ceremony.

Hokulea with the sails down.

Explaining to Elena all about the Hokulea.

The crowd waited for hours in the rain.  By the time the Hokulea did arrive the sun had come out.  Ironwoods.

Mingling after the welcoming.