Hōkūleʻa to Make Historic First Sail into Pearl Harbor

For the first time in Hōkūleʻa’s 42-year history, the legendary canoe will sail into the waters of Pearl Harbor and visit the Puʻuloa region. The crew will be welcomed at Rainbow Bay Marina on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. by the Puʻuloa community and US Navy who are hosting the canoe. The week-long engagement to follow will include school visits, public dockside tours and a crew talk story event. As part of the Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, the purpose of Hōkūleʻa’s visit is to bring the canoe to more of Hawaiʻi’s children, honor Pearl Harbor’s ancient culture and history, and to learn about the efforts to restore the area’s cultural sites including Loko Paʻaiau Fishpond.

Hōkūleʻa entering Magic Island on Oʻahu in front of Diamond Head after a three year worldwide voyage. PC: Nikki Schenfeld

When Hōkūleʻa enters the waters of Pearl Harbor for the first time on Saturday morning, the crew will pay respects as she sails by significant cultural and historical sites including Halealoha Halemau (Fort Kamehameha Reburial Platform), USS Nevada, Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, Ford Island, USS Utah, and Loko Paʻaiau Fishpond before making her arrival at Rainbow Bay Marina. The crew also will spend a day working with the restoration team at Loko Paʻaiau Fishpond on Saturday, Feb. 17.

The Loko Paʻaiau fishpond is located at McGrew Point Navy housing and is one of only three fishponds out of an original 22 in the Pu’uloa area which are still relatively intact. In September 2014, the Navy invited members of the local Hawaiian civic clubs and ʻAiea community members to begin work on restoring the historic fishpond.

“We want to celebrate this place and the movement taking place by the Puʻuloa community and the Navy to restore the Native Hawaiian history, sites and cultural identity of Pearl Harbor,” said president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society Nainoa Thompson. “We hope Hōkūleʻa’s visit will open the doors for our young people to learn about the extraordinary history and culture of this very special, sacred place,” he added.

More than 1,000 school children are scheduled to visit Hōkūleʻa and participate in educational activities during her stop at Puʻuloa.

Hōkūleʻa will be greeted at Rainbow Bay Marina with traditional Hawaiian protocol and a military welcome. The event is open to the public and $1 parking will be available at Aloha Stadium. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and water. Hōkūleʻa will be open for public dockside canoe tours on Sunday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday through Friday, Feb. 12, through Feb. 16, 3 to 5 p.m.

On Thursday, Feb. 15, 5 to 7 p.m., the public is also welcome to attend a Hōkūleʻa talk story event featuring crew and community members who will discuss the significance of Hōkūleʻa’s visit to the Puʻuloa to Ewa region.

“We want to thank the Puʻuloa community, Aliʻi Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, Kapolei Hawaiian Civic Club, Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club, the US Navy and Kamehameha Schools ʻEwa Region for inviting Hōkūleʻa to visit Puʻuloa to learn more about the great work and rich history in this cultural location and allowing us the opportunity to connect with more schools in this region,” said Thompson.

“We welcome the navigators of Hōkūleʻa. Many are military veterans or have strong family ties to our armed forces,” said commander of Navy Region Hawai‘i and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Rear Adm. Brian Fort. “I have great respect for the courageous navigators of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and for the values they live by: love of the ocean, care for a sustainable environment, appreciation of history and heritage, and commitment to educating the next generation. And I join with the rest of our community in thanking the navigators for sharing their time, talents and wisdom with us and our neighbors at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.”

“Hōkūleʻa’s visit to Puʻuloa fills our hearts with profound gratitude and love,” said Winston Kalina Lum, Sr., Aliʻi Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club board member and genealogical descendant of the early inhabitants of ʻAiea, Kalauao and Keʻehi. “It has been hundreds of years since a voyaging canoe last landed on our shores. As our community works together to preserve our cultural sites and educate our children, the canoe’s presence reminds us that we, too, can bring peace and Aloha to the planet,” he added.

Below is a schedule of events for Hōkūleʻa’s Pearl Harbor/Puʻuloa visit, an official stop on Hōkūleʻa’s Mahalo Hawaiʻi, Sail. For the most up to date information, visit online.

Mahalo Hawaiʻi, Sail, Pearl Harbor/Puʻuloa Schedule of Events (*Dates and time are dependent on safety and weather):

Hōkūleʻa Arrival Ceremony
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, 10 a.m.
Rainbow Bay Marina
Hōkūleʻa and her crew will arrive at Rainbow Bay Marina and will be greeted with Hawaiian cultural protocol followed by a military welcome.

Public Open House Tours of Hōkūleʻa
Rainbow Bay Marina
Sunday Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekdays Feb. 12 to 16, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Hōkūleʻa Crew Talk Story (Sponsored by Kamehameha Schools ʻEwa Region)
Rainbow Bay Marina Pavilion
Thursday, Feb. 15, 5 to 7 p.m.
Meet crew and community members who will discuss the significance of Hōkūleʻa’s visit to the Puʻuloa to ʻEwa region.

Saturday Feb 17, 7 a.m., Hōkūleʻa departs Rainbow Bay Marina