Hōkūleʻa heads to Southern California on next leg of Moananuiākea Voyage

Legendary Hawaiian canoe Hōkūleʻa is currently docked in the coastal city of Monterey, Calif., and will be making several stops in Southern California ports as it continues on a 4-year circumnavigation of the Pacific Ocean.

The traditional double-hulled canoe, revered for reviving the lost art of Polynesian voyaging and navigation, has been sailing from Southeast Alaska down the Pacific Coast of North America since June, when the Polynesian Voyaging Society launched the Moananuiākea Voyage.

As part of the journey, Hōkūleʻa will next stop in Ventura, Marina Del Rey, Newport, Dana Point and San Diego, where the public will have an opportunity to learn about the vessel’s storied history and the environmental and cultural mission of the voyage.

The last time Hōkūleʻa sailed down the coast of California was 28 years ago in 1995.

The Moananuiākea Voyage will cover an estimated 43,000 nautical miles, 36 countries and archipelagoes, nearly 100 indigenous territories and more than 300 ports.

Led by the Polynesian Voyaging Society, the voyage is a global educational campaign aimed at amplifying the vital importance of oceans and indigenous knowledge through port engagements, education and storytelling. The goal is to ignite a movement of 10 million “planetary navigators” by developing young leaders and engaging communities around the world to take part in navigating Earth toward a healthy, thriving future.

Last month, Polynesian Voyaging Society CEO Nainoa Thompson announced a major change to the Moananuiākea Voyage sail plan. In the wake of the devastating wildfires on Maui, Hōkūleʻa will return home from San Diego in late December before continuing its Pacific voyage. Click here for more details.

A symbol of cultural revival, Hōkūleʻa is a replica of an ancient Polynesian voyaging canoe. The vessel was built 49 years ago and has since revitalized voyaging and navigation traditions throughout the Pacific.

For more information about the Moananuiākea Voyage and Hōkūleʻa, click here.