Hōkūle’a Greeted Upon Washington, D.C. Arrival

The Hōkūle’a and its crew were welcomed in Washington, D.C. on Sunday as part of its journey in the Mālama Honua worldwide voyage.

On the voyage, the Hōkūle’a has traveled to over 12 countries and 55 ports.

In March, the Hōkūle’a stopped in the continental United States for the first time in the Everglades of Florida. Since visiting the U.S., the Hōkūle’a has traveled up the East Coast.

The crew will remain in Washington, D.C. before sailing to New York City to partake in World Ocean Day events hosted by the United Nations on June 8.

Representative Tulsi Gabbard joined the crowd of hundreds at the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront Park to welcome the Hōkūle’a as it traveled down the Potomac River.

As part of the celebration of arrival, Representative Gabbard welcomed the crews and those present for the ceremony, toured the Hōkūle’a, and celebrated with the crowd who watched music and dance performances presented by local halaus and the Piscataway Conoy Tribe of Maryland.

“It was wonderful to see so many people from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific come together to welcome the historic Hōkūle’a to our nation’s capital today,” Congressomwan Gabbard said. “Through their travels across the globe, Hōkūle’a and her crew have united people and nations through a mission of Mālama Honua—caring for our home, our place. Mālama Honua includes sharing the aloha spirit with people around the world, and is something that each of us can take to heart and apply in our lives every single day.

“As we welcome the Hōkūle’a to Washington D.C., we are reminded that we each have a responsibility to make our oceans, our land, and our home a safer, cleaner, and better place.”

Hōkūleʻa has voyaged traditionally for 40 years, sailing over 150,000 nautical miles throughout the Pacific.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Representative Tulsi Gabbard.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Representative Tulsi Gabbard.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Representative Tulsi Gabbard.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Representative Tulsi Gabbard.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Representative Tulsi Gabbard.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Representative Tulsi Gabbard.